Two centuries old Empire synagogue in Třešť also serves as a cultural space

Prague - The Empire-style synagogue in Třešť, which was ceremonially consecrated 200 years ago on September 22, 1825, now also serves as an exhibition and concert space. The synagogue, with five bays of arches, making it the only synagogue with this architectural feature in the Czech lands, faces the Freedom Square. Along with the synagogue, the former Jewish community in Třešť also preserved a Jewish cemetery with 1,200 stone tombstones from the early 18th century. The city was also home to writer Franz Kafka, who was inspired to write the short story "The Country Doctor."

When a huge fire destroyed the entire Jewish ghetto in Třešť in 1824, the local people organized a collection. Just a year later, the new synagogue could be ceremonially consecrated. The synagogue was again damaged in 1920 during another major fire when the entire arcade was temporarily bricked up during repairs. The synagogue was used until the occupation, but the interior furnishings were destroyed by the Nazis during World War II, and the Torah was taken away. Later, the synagogue was used as an exhibition space by the Society of Friends of Nativity Scenes.

In the early 1950s, there was even consideration of demolishing the entire dilapidated building, which would effectively enlarge the whole square. However, in 1954, the Czechoslovak Hussite Church purchased the synagogue from the municipality. Between 1955 and 1957, it was adapted into the church of Apostle Paul according to the design of architect Bohumil Máčel. The arcade that had been bricked up after the 1920 fire was reopened. The tabernacle was removed, and the eastern windows were bricked up; the arches of the anteroom and the windows and doors from the arcade to the hall were also partly bricked up. From 1993 to 1996, the building underwent repairs, including the static securing of cracked vaults.

The former synagogue is now accessible from the street via a columned vestibule, and to this day, this beautiful building adorns the city and serves religious purposes as well as an exhibition and concert space. There is a permanent exhibition on Franz Kafka and "The Traces of Judaism in Třešť" directly in the synagogue.

Kafka spent his holidays here from 1900 to 1907 with his uncle Dr. Siegfried Löwy. His uncle's profession and the environment inspired Kafka to write the short story "The Country Doctor." In November 2001, a bust of Kafka was unveiled on the house, created by Třešť native academic sculptor František Häckel. The plaque reads: "In this house, Franz Kafka stayed with his uncle MUDr. Löwy from 1900 to 1907."

The history of Třešť dates back to the 12th century when the original core of the town was established - a parish village. The Třeštice stream crossed two trade routes, which gradually led to the development of Třešť. The first written mention of it dates back to 1349 when Třešť belonged to Záviš of Třešť. Over the centuries, the town changed owners several times. It belonged to the Šternberk, Vencelík, Herbenstein families, and for the last 100 years until 1945, to the Wenzel-Sternbach family. In 1901, Třešť was elevated to the status of a town. The establishment of the town is related to silver mining in the Jihlava region. In the 16th century, a castle was built on the site of the former fortress, and a Lutheran church - the St. Catherine's Church - was established in the square.