One Great Synagogue

The Great Pilsen Synagogue

On our drive back from Prague (see this post), we stopped off in the industrial town of Pilsen. It was there we visited the Great Pilsen Synagogue, which is the second largest Synagogue in Europe, and the third largest in the world.

The Great Synagogue was finished in 1892 and survived WWII, even though most of Pilsen's Jewish community of around 5,000, did not. Because the Temple is tightly housed in between other buildings, the Nazi's were unable to destroy it. Fortunately the interior went undamaged as well, despite them taking it over. It remains in it's original state.

The sanctuary of the Great Pilsen Synagogue 

Post war the Synagogue was closed for years and during the communist period it fell into disrepair. From 1995-98 restoration took place and it was finally reopened for services on Feb. 11, 1998. Today, the Synagogue is used for services as well as concerts and art exhibits - though the same photo exhibit has been on display since the re-opening. 

After visiting the crowded and well-funded Jewish Quarter in Prague, and the Pilsen Synagogue in one day, there were vast differences. Justin and I were the only visitors of the Pilsen Synagogue. We were only asked to pay the equivalent of about $2.50 each to tour, significantly less than the Quarter. We were amazed at the size- the sanctuary holds 3,000 people, and sadly less than 200 Jews live in Pilsen today. 

The new congregation of 70 or so, staged a letter writing campaign to the U.S. in 1989 in an attempt to raise money for it's restoration. They did not receive a single donation. A $1.5 million grant from the Czech government was given, but it was not nearly enough to restore the beautiful interior. Without a trained eye, to me it looked like simple cosmetic fixes and restoration could get the amazing building back to it's original grandeur.

One of several lists of original members 

It is a mystery to me why the Great Pilsen Synagogue has been virtually abandoned by the world. There is little information on the web regarding its recent history and state. This a true treasure and poignant symbol. Having survived WWII, it would be a shame to allow the Great Pilsen Synagogue to succumb to further neglect and disrepair.