Jeruzalem Synagogue In Prague Opens For Public

8 April 2007, 13:59 - Culture
One the most important Prague synagogues located outside Jewish town, Jeruzalem synagogue (also called Jubilee synagogue), will be open to tourists from 11 April 2007 until the end of October. The synagogue is being closed during winter for public.

The synagogue, located near Main Train Station and Wencelsas Square, will be open daily except Saturday from 1pm to 5pm. In the synagogue, concerts and exhibitions take place as well.

The Jubilee Synagogue was erected as a replacement for three synagogues in the Jewish Town which were demolished during the clearance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The work of Vienna-based architect V. Stiassny and the builder A. Richter, it is a unique example of the use of Moorish designs on a synagogue building. It was built in years 1905 and 1906 and it was dedicated on 16 September 1906 during the festival of Simhat Torah. The decision to build the synagogue had been made at the time of the 50th anniversary of the accession of Franz Joseph I to the Austrian Throne , it was named the Jubilee Synagogue in his honor.

During the World War II, the synagogue served as the depot of the confiscated Jewish belongings and property by Nazi troops and therefore it was almost untouched and saved from devastation.

WHERE: Jeruzalem Synagogue, Jeruzalémská street 7, Prague 1