Synagogue in Kolín

The Kolín Synagogue is one of the oldest and most valuable Jewish monuments in Bohemia outside Prague — a Baroque building tucked into a courtyard between Na Hradbách and Na Valech streets, now open to visitors as a memorial site and an exhibition on the town's Jewish history.

What is the history behind the building?

The first written record of a Jewish congregation and house of prayer on this site dates back to 1422, and a wooden prayer house is believed to have stood here even earlier, around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. The stone synagogue was built in stages between 1642 and 1696, taking its final Baroque form toward the end of that period. Throughout the 19th century the building underwent several renovations and alterations to serve the growing local community. The Kolín Synagogue is regarded as the oldest and most valuable building of its kind in Bohemia outside Prague, and the largest synagogue erected in the country before the 18th century.

The building served its religious purpose until 1953, when the local Jewish congregation ceased to exist — a direct consequence of the Holocaust, which nearly wiped out Kolín's Jewish community during the Second World War. Between 1942 and 1945, under German occupation, the synagogue was used as a storage depot for Wehrmacht and SS uniforms, a use that ironically spared it from destruction while stripping it of its original function for decades.

After the war the synagogue passed into the hands of the town of Kolín. It initially served as a museum storage depot, and from 1979 as a warehouse for the municipal cultural centre. Only between 1990 and 2000 did the building undergo a thorough reconstruction, reopening to the public in 2000 as an educational and exhibition space.

What can you see inside today?

Inside, an exhibition traces the history of the Jewish community in Kolín and the surrounding region — the story of a congregation that helped shape the town's life for centuries before its tragic end during the war. The preserved Baroque layout of the interior gives visitors a sense of what religious life looked like here at the community's peak. It's a rare chance to see a synagogue that survived the war essentially unchanged in its architectural form.

How do you get in and visit?

Access to the synagogue is arranged through the Kolín Town Information Centre, located at Na Hradbách 157 — this is the place to check current opening hours and any admission details, since visiting the monument is tied directly to the information centre's operating schedule. The synagogue itself stands in the historic town centre, a short walk from the main square, making it easy to combine with a stroll through Kolín's old town.

When is the best time to visit?

The synagogue is open to visitors year-round, so the timing of a visit mostly depends on how much time you want to spend exploring Kolín itself. It's worth confirming current opening hours with the information centre beforehand, as they may vary by season.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Kolín Synagogue open all year? Yes, the building is open to visitors throughout the year, though it's best to confirm exact opening hours with the Town Information Centre.

Where does a visit start? Entry and any tickets are arranged through the Town Information Centre at Na Hradbách 157.

What makes this synagogue stand out among others in Czechia? It is considered the oldest and most valuable synagogue of its kind in Bohemia outside Prague, and the largest synagogue built in the country before the 18th century.

How did the building survive the war? Its use as a military storage depot during the German occupation inadvertently protected its Baroque structure, even though the interior was later adapted for exhibition use.