Synagogue in Turnov

The Synagogue in Turnov is a Baroque Jewish house of worship standing at the heart of the town's former Jewish quarter, in the Liberec region of the Czech Republic. It is the only synagogue in the entire Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) area to have survived the German occupation, which makes it today the most important physical trace of a Jewish community that lived here for centuries.

How far back does the Jewish presence in Turnov go?

The first written record of Jews in Turnov dates to 1527, when the town's records mention a hatter named Moses and his son-in-law Jakub. From that point on, a Jewish community gradually took shape in the town, centered on its own quarter with a synagogue and a school.

Why is the current building already the fourth synagogue on this site?

The first synagogue was built in 1627 on a plot that had previously held a pharmacy, on what is now Antonína Dvořáka street. Like the two synagogues that replaced it, this one was built of wood, and none of the early buildings lasted long — Turnov was repeatedly hit by major town fires. In 1707, one such fire destroyed both the synagogue and the adjoining Jewish school. Afterward, the community bought the burned-out plot of a burgher's house and chose to rebuild in a more durable material. The stone synagogue standing today dates from 1719 and is the fourth Jewish house of worship on this spot — built into a tight row of houses within the former ghetto, which explains why its exterior is so unassuming and easy to miss from the street.

How did the building make it through the 20th century?

The late Baroque synagogue survived the Second World War physically intact, even though Turnov's Jewish community, like those in most Czech towns, was nearly wiped out by the Holocaust. After the war, the few remaining community members could no longer maintain the building. Around 1950, it was handed over to a local small-goods trading company, which turned it into a storage warehouse. In the late 1960s, the building underwent a thorough reconstruction to suit this commercial use, which for decades obscured its original character.

What can visitors see there today?

The synagogue's interior underwent a partial renovation in 2018, restoring some of the historic decoration and giving visitors a clearer picture of the history of Turnov's Jewish community. The building is now a stop on the trail through Turnov's former Jewish quarter, alongside the nearby Jewish cemetery, and offers a way to trace the story of a community that had a presence in the town for nearly five centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Synagogue in Turnov located? It stands within the former Jewish quarter of Turnov, in the Liberec region, built into a tight row of houses in the old ghetto.

When was the current synagogue built? The stone, late Baroque building dates from 1719 — the fourth synagogue on this site, after three earlier wooden ones that burned down in town fires.

Why is this synagogue significant for the region? It is the only synagogue in the entire Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) area to have survived the German occupation during the Second World War.

How was the building used after the war? Around 1950 it was handed over to a local trading company that turned it into a warehouse, and it was rebuilt for that purpose in the late 1960s.

Can visitors go inside the synagogue? Yes, following a partial renovation of the interior in 2018, it is open to visitors as part of the tour of Turnov's former Jewish quarter.