Former synagogue (Brandýs nad Labem)

The former synagogue in Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav stands on the quiet Na Potoce street, close to the town's historic centre, and ranks among the best-preserved Jewish monuments in central Bohemia. Built as part of a complex with the neighbouring rabbi's house, the building fell out of religious use for decades before reopening to visitors in 2014.

How old is the Jewish community behind this building?

Jewish life in Brandýs goes back to the early 16th century, and the town's first synagogue was founded here in 1515. That structure was destroyed by one of the fires that repeatedly swept through the town. A replacement built in 1657 lasted about 130 years before it too burned down. The building visitors see today only dates from 1828-1829, raised in the Classicist style as a joint complex with the rabbi's residence. Brandýs holds a notable place in Bohemian Jewish history as one of the first communities in the country to adopt liturgical reforms within its congregation.

What does the interior look like?

Inside is a spacious prayer hall wrapped on three sides by a two-storey women's gallery, a layout typical of Central European synagogue architecture from this era. The wider building complex also contained three apartments and a schoolroom, underlining that the synagogue functioned as more than a place of worship - it was a genuine community hub for Brandýs's Jewish residents. Today the space houses a permanent exhibition called "Foundations of Judaism," which introduces visitors to the key literary sources of rabbinic Judaism from the medieval and early modern periods.

What happened to the synagogue after the war?

The building served its religious purpose until the establishment of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia in 1939, when the Jewish community's life in Brandýs was violently cut short. After the Second World War the synagogue lost its original function and spent decades as a pharmaceutical warehouse. Ownership returned to the Jewish Community of Prague only in 1995, after which the building served for a time as a depository for the Jewish Museum in Prague. Following partial reconstruction, the synagogue was ceremonially reopened on 10 July 2014, and the very next day hosted its first religious service since the Holocaust. The site opened to the general public in June 2014.

How do you get there and when should you visit?

The synagogue sits in a quiet corner of Brandýs nad Labem, within easy walking distance of the town square and the chateau, so a visit pairs naturally with a stroll through the historic centre. The town lies less than 25 km from Prague, making it a manageable day trip that can easily be combined with a visit to neighbouring Stará Boleslav and its basilica. Because opening hours can be limited or require advance arrangement, it is worth checking current visiting times before setting out.

Frequently asked questions

Is the current building the original 16th-century synagogue? No - the structure standing today dates from 1828-1829. Earlier synagogues from 1515 and 1657 were both destroyed by fires that repeatedly struck the town.

Can visitors go inside the synagogue? Yes, the building has been open to the public since 2014 and hosts a permanent exhibition on the foundations of Judaism.

How far is the synagogue from the centre of Brandýs? It stands on Na Potoce street, directly adjacent to the town's historic centre.

Are there other traces of Jewish history in Brandýs? Yes, the town also has a Jewish cemetery, reflecting the centuries-long presence of a Jewish community in the area.