Bezručova Ulice
Bezručova Ulice

Looking West along Bezručova ulice 1993
Photograph © Copyright 1993 Clive Porter

Looking West along Bezručova ulice 2003
Copyright information unknown

Looking West along Bezručova ulice 1993
Photograph © Copyright 1993 Clive Porter

Looking West along Bezručova ulice 2003
Copyright information unknown

Portrait of Bedřich Smetana in Plzeň 1843
Photograph copyright & source unknown

Statue of Bedřich Smetana in Smetanovy Sady 1993
Photograph © Copyright 1993 Clive Porter

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)

Stalin’s Statue 1950s
Photograph © Copyright George Krejci

Stalin’s Statue 1950s
Photograph © Copyright George Krejci

The Young Lady 2006
Photograph © Copyright 2006 Eva Haunerová

The Young Lady 2006
Photograph © Copyright 2006 Eva Haunerová

Velká Synagoga circa 1900
From a postcard

Velká Synagoga in the 1950s
Photograph © Copyright George Krejci

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.

Velká Synagoga circa 2000
Copyright information unknown
The synagogue is now beautifully restored and bears its star once more.
Pětatřicátníků Sady 11
30124 Plzeň
Czech Republic
Tel: +420 602 441 943