Synagogue in Žatec

The Žatec Synagogue is one of the most striking pieces of Jewish heritage architecture in the Czech Republic – the second-largest surviving synagogue in the country, after the Great Synagogue in Plzeň. It stands in the eastern part of Žatec's town centre, on Dlouhá street, and stands out for its Moorish Revival style, a design rarely seen elsewhere in this part of Central Europe.

When was the synagogue built?

Construction was completed between 1871 and 1872. The building was designed by master builder Johann Staněk, who also designed the synagogue in nearby Louny. The formal consecration took place on 19 March 1872, led by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Frank. A structure of this scale reflected the wealth and size of the Žatec Jewish community at the time, closely tied to the town's hop-growing trade.

What does the building look like inside and out?

The synagogue is a single-nave building closed by an apse. Its western façade, with a projecting risalit, is flanked by two prism-shaped towers topped with domes – the feature that gives the building its distinctive, orientalising silhouette, typical of 19th-century Moorish Revival synagogue design. Inside, the space is covered by a barrel vault. A renovation in 1911 added decorative wall paintings that still adorn the interior today.

What has the building survived over the years?

During Kristallnacht in November 1938, the synagogue was damaged by fire. In the following decades it lost its original religious function and was used as a warehouse, a use that took a toll on the building's condition over time. A comprehensive reconstruction only began in 2013, aiming to restore the structure and give it a new cultural purpose.

What can visitors see at the synagogue today?

After years of restoration work, the synagogue reopened to the public in 2024. It now operates as a museum and cultural space, presenting the history of the Žatec Jewish community alongside a restored interior featuring Moorish-style decoration and the 19th-century wall paintings. The building is a protected cultural monument, underlining its architectural and historical significance on a national level.

Why visit the Žatec Synagogue?

It's a rare chance to see one of the few well-preserved Moorish Revival synagogues in the Czech Republic up close, while learning about the Jewish community once tied to a region famous for hop cultivation. The combination of striking architecture, a turbulent 20th-century history, and a recently completed restoration makes it a worthwhile stop when exploring Žatec, alongside the town square and other old-town landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Žatec Synagogue built? Between 1871 and 1872, with its formal consecration held on 19 March 1872.

Who designed the building? Master builder Johann Staněk, who also designed the synagogue in Louny.

Why is this synagogue significant nationally? It is the second-largest surviving synagogue in the Czech Republic, after the Great Synagogue in Plzeň.

What happened to the synagogue during World War II? It was damaged by fire during Kristallnacht in November 1938 and later used as a warehouse.

Can visitors tour the synagogue today? Yes – following a reconstruction that began in 2013, the building reopened in 2024 as a museum and cultural space.