bývalá synagoga v Kojetíně Synagogue

The former synagogue in Kojetín, located in the district of Přerov Olomouc Region, is one of the oldest in Moravia. Its beginnings date back to the mid-15th century and are protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. This building with Baroque elements represents an important architectural and historical element of the region.

According to oral tradition, the prayer room was founded in 1454 when the first Jews began to settle in Kojetín. This makes the synagogue the oldest in Moravia and after the Prague Old Ones synagogue the second oldest construction of this type in the Czech Republic. The first written mention of the building dates back to 1614, when a thorough repair of the whole building, which was then built from stone and bricks.

The construction stands on a free rectangular plan with a valb roof covered with burnt bags. The coated walls are supplemented by window rectangles with segmented enchantments. There is a one-storey annex near the north wall with a cordon ledge and corner half columns. In the north corner of the building there is a valené arched vault, which today serves as a columbarium and belong together with the original ritual sink, kior, among the oldest and most valuable parts of the monument.

During the 30-year war, the synagogue suffered several fires, the most devastating of which in 1670 destroyed the roof and roof. Due to a lack of resources, the building remained without a roof for 50 years. The reconstruction took place in 1718-1726 thanks to the financial assistance of Hungarian Rabbi Samson Wertheim and the permission of the government. During this period, baroque elements were brought into the building, the vaults were modified, stucco decoration and external staircases were added.

In 1928 and 1936 there were further repairs of the roof and interior. During World War II, the building served as a warehouse and was damaged in liberation fighting. In 1953, the synagogue was adapted for the church of Czechoslovak Hussite according to the designs of architect Hubert Aust. The modifications included a wall of transparency in the prayer hall and a 180 degree rotation of the altar.

The synagogue is located in Husova Street, which was formerly Jewish Street. The first written mention of the settlement of Jews in Kojetín dates from the town hall of 1566- 1567. The street originally consisted of 59 houses, the number of which fell to 16 after the fires of the 30-year war and settled to 45 by 1834. In the building there were important rabbis, such as a follower of orthodox Judaism Eleazar David Flekales, author of Talmud studies Jakob Brüll, who worked here in 1843-1889, or David Kaufmann, author of works in the field of history, religion and philosophy.

Today the synagogue is dormant and since 25 June 1998 it has been officially protected as a cultural monument. To worship the memory of deported Kojetín Jews, commemorative plates with the names of the victims were placed here. This building is a unique testament to Jewish history in Moravia and its visit allows you to understand the transformation of the region's religious and social structure.