New synagogue in Velké Meziříčí

The New Synagogue in Velké Meziříčí is a red-brick neo-Gothic building standing in the eastern part of this town in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. Despite its name, the building is now more than 150 years old and ranks among the region's most notable religious monuments tied to the history of the local Jewish community.

When was the synagogue built?

The foundation stone was laid on 2 July 1868, and construction was completed on 7 July 1870 — the project took exactly two years to finish. The design came from Viennese architect August Prokop, while the actual construction was carried out by local builder Václav Roučka. The building was raised in a pseudo-Gothic style, reflecting the 19th-century fashion for neo-Gothic forms in Central European religious architecture.

What does the building look like?

The synagogue stands out for its red-brick mass, pointed-arch window openings, and decorative details typical of neo-Gothic design. The windows once held colorful stained glass featuring the Star of David, while two plastered strips above the entrance bore Hebrew biblical quotations. This architectural detail still lets visitors recognize the building's original sacred function, even though it served entirely different purposes for decades.

Until when was it used for prayer?

The synagogue served its religious function continuously from 1870 until the beginning of World War II. In 1940 the building was vandalized by the Nazis, and from 1943 onward it was used as a rear supply depot for the German army — its sacred role ended with the outbreak of war and the destruction of the local Jewish community.

What happened to the building after the war?

After the war, the synagogue lost its original purpose for good. For many years it served as a warehouse, and later housed an Asian market selling cheap goods. Following restitution, the building was rented out for commercial use — the following decades tell a story of a sacred interior repeatedly adapted for trade and storage, far removed from its original purpose.

What is happening with the synagogue today?

Since 2023 the New Synagogue has belonged to the town of Velké Meziříčí, which is gradually restoring the building. It currently functions as a cultural space, and the town plans further use of the building and its surroundings for cultural and community events. It marks a symbolic return of the building to its role as a community gathering place, now in a secular form.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors enter the synagogue? The building is currently undergoing gradual restoration led by the town, which uses it as a cultural venue — it is worth checking the current event schedule before visiting.

How does it differ from the Old Synagogue in Velké Meziříčí? Velké Meziříčí has two synagogues — an older one and this "new" one, built between 1868 and 1870. The building described here is the red-brick neo-Gothic New Synagogue.

What architectural style does the building represent? The synagogue was designed in a pseudo-Gothic (neo-Gothic) style, popular in 19th-century Central European religious architecture, with characteristic pointed-arch windows and a brick facade.

Where exactly is the synagogue located? The building stands in Velké Meziříčí, a town in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic, close to the town's historic center.