New synagogue in Liberec

The New Synagogue in Liberec is the only synagogue built in the Czech Republic after the Second World War. It stands on Rumjancevova street in the heart of the city, forming part of the Regional Research Library building.

Why is it called "new"?

The name only makes sense once you know what stood on this spot before. Between 1887 and 1889, Liberec's Jewish community built an imposing Neo-Renaissance synagogue designed by the Vienna-based architect Karl König and constructed by the local firm Sacher and Gärtner. Topped with a 39-metre tower, it dominated the city skyline for decades. That building was destroyed on the night of 9–10 November 1938, when Nazis set it ablaze during Kristallnacht, alongside dozens of other synagogues across Germany and the annexed Sudetenland. For decades after the war, the site sat empty and was used as a car park.

What does "Building of Reconciliation" mean?

The current synagogue opened on 9 November 2000 — exactly 62 years after the fire that destroyed its predecessor. It is often referred to by its Czech nickname, "Stavba smíření," or Building of Reconciliation. Rather than reconstructing the historic building, the city and the Jewish community chose to erect a modern structure that commemorates the destroyed temple and honors the victims of the Holocaust. The new synagogue covers roughly 245 square metres and is architecturally integrated into the adjoining library complex.

Is it still an active place of worship?

Yes. The building continues to serve Liberec's small, surviving Jewish community as a place of prayer and gathering. Because of its combined role — attached to a public library and standing as the only postwar synagogue in the country — it also carries an educational and memorial dimension. Visitors can learn about the history of Liberec's Jewish community and the circumstances that led to the destruction of the original synagogue during Kristallnacht.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Its location near the city centre puts the synagogue within easy walking distance of the town hall and theatre, making it a natural stop while exploring Liberec's historic core. Sharing a building with the research library also means history, culture, and everyday city life quite literally sit under one roof.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the New Synagogue in Liberec built? It opened on 9 November 2000, on the anniversary of the destruction of the original synagogue during Kristallnacht in 1938.

Why is it called "new"? Because it replaced a much larger synagogue from 1887–1889 that the Nazis burned down; the site then served as a parking lot for decades.

Is it the only synagogue of its kind in the Czech Republic? Yes, it is the only synagogue built from scratch in the Czech Republic since the end of World War II.

Where exactly is it located? On Rumjancevova street in central Liberec, as part of the Regional Research Library building.