German Theatre

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The German Theatre

The German Theatre circa 1900
The German Theatre circa 1900
From a postcard

This is an area of Plzeň which I don’t understand. I’ve spent a lot of time looking at photographs, old and recent; at maps, old and recent and at aerial images, recent only :)

From what I understand, the German Theatre stood on the east side of Goetheova ulice and was demolished in 1977. Looking at the picture of it, it would appear to be quite an imposing building and I imagine its proportions would have been consistant, that it’s depth would be in proportion to its length.

But I can’t see how this could have been the case.

…to be continued… (I need to sort out the photos I have of the area)

 

Synagogue

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The Great Synagogue – Velká Synagoga

The Great Synagogue, Plzeň circa 1900
Velká Synagoga circa 1900
From a postcard

 

The Great Synagogue, Plzeň 1950s
Velká Synagoga in the 1950s
Photograph © Copyright George Krejci

 

The Great Synagogue, Plzeň 1991
Velká Synagoga in 1991
Photograph © Copyright 1991 Clive Porter

I took this photograph in 1991. The photograph seems to tell a very sad story. The sheer size of the building seems to suggest that the Jewish community in Plzeň once made up an important part of the population – it’s the third biggest synagogue in the world. I don’t think there’s any need to mention why or how this changed: I think anybody reading this will be well aware of what happened during the second world war.

Apart from the building’s obvious emptiness and lack of use, the absence of the six pointed star in the photograph is a harsh reminder.

 

The Great Synagogue, Plzeň circa 2000
Velká Synagoga circa 2000
Copyright information unknown

The synagogue is now beautifully restored and bears its star once more.

 

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