Karlín Synagogue

This is an old synagogue that today is a church. Not much to see but get points for its historical value. Located in Prague, The Karlin Synagogue stands in Vítkova Street in Karlín. It was built in Romanesque style in 1861 for the local wealthy Karlin Jewish community. During the early 20th century, Karlin was an independent town focusing on industry and commerce. Many of the rich industrialists and traders here were Jews. The synagogue apparently underwent several modifications. The last was in the years 1928 - 1930, when the interior was rebuilt in a functionalist style. The synagogue was built in parallel with the St. Stephen's, St. Charles’, and St. Cyril and Methodius churches, which were also built in the Neo-Romanesque style. During World War II, services were put on hold until after the war, in which the prayer house was returned to the Jewish community in Prague.  In 1950, however, it was sold to the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, which adapted the building its own worship and still use it to this day. The rear tract--where the rabbinate, winter prayer hall, and the seat of the rabbi of the region were located--now serves as a parish office. In 1953, the Hussite Church carried out a large reconstruction. A new entrance was made from Vítka Street, and the women section was demolished.  Chambers and organs were added in the main hall. On the wall in the main hall, the painter, graphic artist and builder Cyril Chramosta placed the painting "Jan Žižka and Jan Rokycana negotiate peace in the Spital." A notable personality who attended High Holidays as a little girl with her father in the synagogue was Czech-German Jewish writer and Karlin native, Lenka Reinerová. She was the last surviving representative of the Prague literary scene.

It used to be a synagogue, today the Hussite Brotherhood

The village of Karlín was founded in 1817 on the former Špitálské field - the so-called Špitálsko region. It was here that Jews settled since the time of Maria Theresa. Services were held here at the time in rented premises. However, the rapid growth of the Jewish community soon created the need for its own synagogue. It was built according to the plans of Jan Zelnitzky in 1861 in an old garden with a stream and served its purpose until the Second World War. The Karlín Jewish community has had its mayors since 1869, and in the same year it established a three-class public Jewish school. At the same time, a charity was formed to support the poor. The Jewish community in Karlín was very active. In 1890, 1205 people of the Jewish faith lived in Karlín, which represented 14% of the total population. By 1921, the number of Karlín Jews had doubled. In June 1953, the prayer house was ceremoniously opened for the Church of the Patriarch Dr. Gustav Adolf Procházka, who carried out its extensive reconstruction that year. The single-nave synagogue has a chalice and a cross placed in the gable in Nice, which is already the result of modern modifications. The last time the Karlín synagogue underwent internal and external reconstruction after 1990. The village of Karlín was founded in 1817 in the former "Špitál" field, the so-called Špitálsko - can be translated as an old infirmary area. It was here that Jews settled since the time of Maria Theresa. Worship was held at the time in rented premises. However, the rapid growth of the Jewish community soon led to the need for its own synagogue. It was built according to the plans of Jan Zelnitzký in 1861 in an old garden with a brook and served its purpose until the time of World War II. The Jewish community in Karlín had its mayors since 1869 and in the same year established a three-class public Jewish school. At the same time, a charitable association was created to support the poor. The Jewish community in Karlín was very active. In 1890, 1205 Jewish people lived in Karlín, which represented 14% of the total population. By 1921, the number of Karlín Jews had doubled. In June 1953 the house of prayer was inaugurated for the Patriarch Corps of Dr. Gustav Adolf Procházka, which made its extensive reconstruction the same year. The single-nave synagogue has a chalice and a cross in the gable, which is the result of modern modifications. The last time the Karlín Synagogue underwent internal and external reconstruction after 1990.

Of course, unlike the Old Town, the Jewish Quarter, Malostranska, Hradcany, which have preserved their layout since the Middle Ages, and indeed, Zizkov, Grapes, Podskal, where pompous, richly decorated with stucco, paintings and sculptures palaces and just houses wealthy citizens - Carlin is more reserved. Many of its old buildings require a cosmetic repair or even a major renovation, and something has already been lost forever. Among the numerous buildings of the 19th century, with a dense ring of old streets overlooking Karlina, a small restored building of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church stands out on Vitkov. At a close inspection on the facade of the building you can see symbols that do not refer to Christianity, but to another religion - to Judaism. And this is not accidental. Before us is the former building of the Karlin synagogue. Of course, it is by no means the most famous in Prague. An independent Jewish community existed in these places already in the first half of the 19th century. But, despite the fact that weddings were held here, and since 1848 Jewish metric books were kept, members of the community conducted worship services in rented premises. The Jewish community of Karlin was quite numerous. In 1890, 1205 people were counted among themselves - about 14% of all residents of the district. By 1921 this number had doubled. The growth of the Jewish community required the construction of a synagogue. Its construction continued from 1857 to 1861. In the courtyard were housed working chancery and living quarters of the rabbi. The architectural style of the Karlin synagogue is combined, it can be seen as elements of Moorish and neo-Romantic styles. At the beginning of the 20th century, the interiors of the synagogue had elements of baroque, stucco molding and decorative ornaments, which, unfortunately, did not survive to this day. The last reconstruction, which made the structure more simple and functional, took place in 1928-1930. Divine services were held in the synagogue until the Second World War. In 1950, it became the property of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

A man sometimes walks through the streets of the city and does not even notice that the houses that pass by, tell the troubled history of the local population. This is the case with the Karlin Synagogue. The 3000 Jews who lived, loved, died, were dragged away during the war and returned to them 15. The Karlin Synagogue was built in 1857-1861 in the Neo-Romanesque style combined with the Moorish style, as well as the nearby St. Cyril and Methodius. The interior was modified several times, the prayer hall served in the 2nd war, in 1950 it became the property of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church, which still serves today. In the back tract is the parish office and the church and social life of the Church. Fortunately, the exterior has remained preserved to this day.