Czech Republic - Jewish Heritage

Jewish Heritage

Jewish people have been living in the Czech Republic for more than a thousand years. Since their arrival in the 9th centrury they have formed several communities in many places in both Bohemia and Moravia. The number of Jews has never been high but it certainly does not mean their cultural influence has been insignificant. On the contrary. The Jewish community have always very carefully preserved their customs, traditions and culture and we can therefore still admire their heritage today.

In the Czech Republic there are several hundred cemetaries and around 200 synagogues from which one in Prague and one in Brno are still being used for services. Outside Prague probably the most famous one is the Jewish Quarter in the town of Třebič which appears on the UNESCO list. However, the Jewish culture is not represented only by buildings. The Jewish Museum was opened in Prague in 1906, and here we can find very precious books, manuscripts and other many other things of great artistic value. In Terezín the Little Ghetto is open, reminding us of the atrocities of World War II.