Discover the magic corners of the Jewish Town in Boskovice, which features old tombstones, a synagogue, a mikveh, and more.
The former Jewish ghetto in Boskovice is one of the best-preserved and most interesting Jewish areas in the Czech Republic. It arose in the immediate vicinity of the town’s Masaryk Square and it is the centre of the monument preservation area. Famous people who were born here include, for example, Hermann Ungar (1893–1929), a German-language author of Jewish origin who has been nicknamed the Moravian Kafka.
This Jewish quarter has experienced some hard times, too. Since the 18th century, the ghetto has been separated from the rest of the city by three gates and it has been devastated by plague and numerous fires. It saw its largest population in the 19th century, but the number of its inhabitants dropped to only four hundred during the First Czechoslovak Republic. Everyone was deported to concentration camps during World War II and fewer than twenty people survived and returned.
Originally, there were three synagogues, but only the major synagogue has been preserved to this day. Opposite the synagogue, you can see the Jewish mikveh ritual bath, which you will hardly have a chance to see anywhere else. On the way down from the Jewish quarter, stop at the cemetery (the third largest in the Czech Republic). Note that there are small stones on the tombstones. The Jews place these instead of flowers when they visit a cemetery.
You can walk through the Jewish town on your own or you can go on an interesting group tour with a guide. After dark, the narrow streets and street lamps resemble the mysterious quarter Stínadla (The Shades) from the books by the famous Czech writer Jaroslav Foglar. The Jewish quarter is supported by the Unijazz association. Since 1993, it has organized an annual festival called Boskovice – Festival for the Jewish Quarter. The atmosphere of the quarter is impossible to describe. Will you experience it with your own senses?
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One town, one castle, one chateau and a number of Jewish historical sites, a Wild West town, an aquapark and beautiful Šmelcovna. Where and what is it?
The place is a celebration of peace and beauty, of the humility of believing artists and Jewish traditions. Stop by, contemplate.
What exactly is a “mikveh”, how is it performed and who can enter it? You can find out in one of the oldest houses in the Jewish quarter in Boskovice.
An elegant, exotic chateau in the Empire style. Really! First it was a monastery, then a factory and a chateau after that.
The ruins of a castle does not necessarily mean that the place is in ruins! This is definitely true of the castle ruins in Boskovice.
Step into a realm of tranquillity and profound history as you explore the Boskovice Jewish Cemetery, an integral part of the Jewish Quarter's rich heritage.
Do you sometimes watch westerns? Do your kids like playing Indians? The atmosphere of this Wild West town will captivate even people who are not fond of the Wild West.
Rococo and Classicism in full parade and a collection of camellias on top of that, this is the Rájec nad Svitavou chateau.
Would you like to own a chateau? Would you be able to renovate it? In this case, the private owner did a very good job.
Where can you experience a parade of karst hits in one place? Right here! The longest cave system in the Czech Republic offers a choice of three routes. Which one will you choose?
The Baroque style is pleasing to the eye and the Baroque chateau in Velké Opatovice is clear proof of this.
Hey, Siri, how can I get to Velké Opatovice? By tapping your mobile phone two times, you can load the route, the destination and the map, which you can zoom out to the stratosphere and even further.
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