Memorial to Jews who perished in concentration camps

Memorial to Jews Who Perished in Concentration Camps stands on F. A. Gerstnera street in the historic centre of České Budějovice, on the exact spot where the town's synagogue stood until 1942. It is a small, quiet memorial that many visitors walking through the old town pass without realising the weight of history attached to this particular corner.

Why is the memorial located here?

The synagogue of České Budějovice was blown up on 5 July 1942 on the orders of the town's German-appointed mayor, F. David, and its remaining walls were demolished shortly afterward. A building that had served the local Jewish community for decades disappeared from the city almost without a trace. Deportations from České Budějovice and the surrounding area sent over 900 Jewish residents to concentration camps; only 28 of them survived the war. Today the only original testimony to that community is the town's Jewish cemetery, while the memorial on Gerstnera street marks the ground where the house of prayer once stood.

Who created the memorial, and when was it unveiled?

The memorial was unveiled on 5 July 1992, exactly fifty years to the day after the synagogue was destroyed. It was sculpted by Ivan Tlášek, following a design by local České Budějovice artist Roman Brichcín. Its construction was funded jointly by the České Budějovice City Office and the Jewish Community of Prague — a deliberate pairing of municipal authority and the Jewish community that, after the war, had all but ceased to exist in the town.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Visitors interested in the town's Jewish history can also look out for the Stones of the Missing (Kameny zmizelých) — eleven small brass memorial plaques set into the pavement outside the former homes of Holocaust victims, found on streets including Mánesova, U Tří lvů and Krajinská. Together with the memorial on Gerstnera street, they form a scattered but coherent memorial trail that can be walked in under an hour, easily combined with a visit to the historic town centre.

How do you get there?

The memorial sits in the centre of České Budějovice, within easy walking distance of the main square (náměstí Přemysla Otakara II.) and the train station — both around a ten-to-fifteen-minute walk. Given its central location, the easiest way to reach it is on foot or by bike; several city bus stops serving the town centre are also nearby.

Who is this stop for?

This is a stop for travellers who want to see more than the town's Renaissance square and the Black Tower — for those interested in twentieth-century history, Central European Jewish heritage, and memorial sites that rarely make it into standard guidebooks. Given its modest scale and reflective character, it is not a spot for visitors chasing dramatic views, but for those who want a fuller picture of the town's history.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly does the memorial stand? On F. A. Gerstnera street in the centre of České Budějovice, on the site of the former synagogue, destroyed in 1942.

Who designed the memorial? The sculpture was made by Ivan Tlášek, based on a design by local artist Roman Brichcín.

When was the memorial unveiled? On 5 July 1992, exactly fifty years after the synagogue was destroyed on the same spot.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the memorial stands in public space and is freely accessible year-round.

What else relates to the town's Jewish history? Eleven Stones of the Missing set into pavements on Mánesova, U Tří lvů and Krajinská streets, and the town's Jewish cemetery, the only original relic of the former community.