Synagoga v Krnově Synagogue

The Krnov Synagogue, located on the eastern edge of the urban core, stands out for its historical value and architectural features. Built in 1871- 1872 as a substitute for an older prayer house, it represents an important monument to the New Romanesque style with Moorish elements in the interior. The building is not only a testament to the prosperity of the local Jewish community, but also the only synagogue in the region that survived the Nazi occupation without destruction.

The need to replace the older prayer space led to its construction. The local builder Ernest Latzell built it in 1871-1872 and was ordained by the Rabbi of Brno, Dr. Baruch Plack, on 5 June 1872. The architecture reflects a new Romanesque style with Moorish elements, which was typical of Jewish sacral structures at the time. The synagogue became a symbol of the prosperity of the local Jewish community, made up of several important entrepreneurs and personalities.

The building is a stand-alone, two-storey hall building with two towers on the east front. The interior captures the wooden painted cluster ceiling and the Jewish gallery for women, supported by cast iron columns on three sides of the hall. These architectural features contribute to the uniqueness of the whole place.

The history of the synagogue was dramatically influenced by the events of the 20th century. In 1938, when the German army took over Krnov, it stopped serving worship. Unlike many other buildings around it, however, it was protected from destruction during the Nazi occupation. One scroll of the Torah was saved by the Vice-President of the Jewish village of Charles Frieda. After the war, the building went through adaptation to the city market, later served as a warehouse, and since 1960 it worked as a state district archive.

Property history includes restitution in the 1990s, the Jewish village Olomouc, which handed it over in 2002 to the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic. This change of ownership has opened the way to revitalizing the synagogue and its new cultural use.

In recent years, spiritual and cultural life has returned to the building. Since autumn 2003, concerts with Hebrew songs, performances with Jewish dances and other activities have been held here. There was a gradual renewal. In the years 2012- 2014 there was a generous comprehensive reconstruction within the project of Revitalization of Jewish Monuments in the Czech Republic, known as 10stars Temple. Today, the synagogue hosts a permanent museum exhibition called "Jewish industrialists, entrepreneurs and inventors.".

The current state of Krnov Synagogue is a result of long-term efforts to restore and develop cultural life. Now it serves not only as a monument to the past, but also as an active cultural centre attracting visitors from all over the region. Its history and architecture make it an important destination for those interested in Jewish culture.

The Krnov Synagogue resembles resilience and cultural heritage. Its preservation and revitalisation are evidence of respect for the past and openness to the future. Visiting this place is essential for anyone who wants to understand the rich history of the Jewish community in Krnova and appreciate its contribution to the region.