Great Synagogue of Plzen
Great Synagogue of Plzen
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
326 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
118
Average
40
Poor
5
Terrible
2
mirunavrn
Bucharest, Romania431 contributions
Apr 2023
After visiting the Jerusalem Synagogue in Prague, I had to see this synagogue as well. It is beautifully renovated and well maintained. The interior is impressive and its history, too. There is also an exhibition on Jewish history and community in Plzen and within the Czech Republic.
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waterloonie
Santa Barbara, CA1,675 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Amazing architecture and remarkable that it stands after the Nazi occupation. Beautifully restored testimony to a once thriving and prosperous Jewish community.
Don't miss it.
Don't miss it.
Written July 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scooby, do Scooby don't
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK85 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
Firstly I find the comments made by the previous post Aa_Finn to be of a racist nature, and the post should be removed.
If you enter into a place of worship or even into someone's home the expectation is you respect their rules. Plenty Christian churches around the world ask you to dress appropriately, some refuse entry and others provide additional clothing.
This aside, having visited synagogues before my partner had no problem in paying a small fee to purchase cover for his head (fitted very nicely over the bald patch). I found the synagogue to be stunning, especially when you read the history, the fact it survived occupations, and the restoration that has gone into it.
There is currently a photo exhibition about the second world war, hence why it will take longer to look around. Explanations are in English.
There is a small shop, and clean free toilet facilities once you have paid a small entrance fee to look around.
I did not see anything to say photos could not be taken.
It would be nice if exhibitions continued to be held here, and as a previous contributor mentioned maybe even a small concert.
If you enter into a place of worship or even into someone's home the expectation is you respect their rules. Plenty Christian churches around the world ask you to dress appropriately, some refuse entry and others provide additional clothing.
This aside, having visited synagogues before my partner had no problem in paying a small fee to purchase cover for his head (fitted very nicely over the bald patch). I found the synagogue to be stunning, especially when you read the history, the fact it survived occupations, and the restoration that has gone into it.
There is currently a photo exhibition about the second world war, hence why it will take longer to look around. Explanations are in English.
There is a small shop, and clean free toilet facilities once you have paid a small entrance fee to look around.
I did not see anything to say photos could not be taken.
It would be nice if exhibitions continued to be held here, and as a previous contributor mentioned maybe even a small concert.
Written June 29, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lazer22
Ma'ale Adumim, Israel3 contributions
Sep 2024 • Family
Largest synagogue in Chechia, 2nd largest in Europe, 3rd largest in the world. Very impressive exterior. Although there are exhibits of Jewish life in Pilzen, there is no active Jewish community today, and the synagogue feels empty and dead.
Written September 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kačka R
Prague, Czech Republic53 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We didn't go inside since our furry friend was with us, but this building is amazing from the outside as well. If it's sunny, get on the terrace opposite the synagogue and take pictures from there!
Written April 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael H
Merzig, Germany370 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Just near the historic center of Pilsen, a short walk from the central St Bartolomeo Square, one can see a beautiful Jewish synagogue ( 3rd largest in the World). Its two onion dome-topped towers topped with the Star of David glistening in the sun rays, and bright red and white facade caught our attention to explore the synagogue as we walked around the historic center.
As we walked up to the massive wooden doors to the synagogue, we found a sign saying that it was only open to the public between April and October. We were one day too early to see the interior.
Opening Hours
Period: 1. 4. - 31. 10.
Monday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
As we were leaving, we notice metal footprints leaving out of the synagogue, within the stairs...I would like to have found out the meaning behind them.
As we walked up to the massive wooden doors to the synagogue, we found a sign saying that it was only open to the public between April and October. We were one day too early to see the interior.
Opening Hours
Period: 1. 4. - 31. 10.
Monday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
As we were leaving, we notice metal footprints leaving out of the synagogue, within the stairs...I would like to have found out the meaning behind them.
Written April 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan R
Herzliya, Israel657 contributions
Jul 2017
The Great Synagogue in Plzen built in the last decade of the 19th century according to the plans of architect Rudolph Stech. It could accommodate 2000 men and the balcony women section had a capacity of 800. It's the 3rd largest synagogue building in the world. The community flourished until WWII, but most of the Jews of Plzen perished in the Holocaust, and only a few survivors returned to the city. The building fell in neglect during the Communist rule, but luckily it was not destroyed or modified for other purposes. Renovations started after 1990 and continue until now. Much of the central hall, internal decoration and glass-work was reconstructed according to the original plans. Today the synagogue serves the community, is a memorial of the Jewish life in this city, and also serves as a culture center (concerts, exhibitions) not necessarily Jewish-related. There is a small entry fee that includes access and a leaflet that provides basic information about the history of the synagogue.
Written July 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlexSwallow
Sheffield, UK1,653 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We were so lucky that we were staying around the corner from the synagogue on our visit to Pilsen, otherwise we probably wouldn't have gone.
On arrival we thought it looked incredible and resolved to go back the following day. We were so pleased that we did.
I thought everything about it was amazing:
- the architecture, it was so beautiful inside
- the way that you were just left to wander around the building on your own- you were able to go upstairs and view the building from every angle
- the fact that the building had been restored so beautifully (they are still working on it) after the sad things it has been through
- the fact it is now a working synagogue
- the fact it is (I believe) the third-biggest synagogue in the world
- the emotion locked up in the place- it hit me as soon as I had stepped into the main space
- the fact that there was an amazing photo exhibition lining the walls from events in Czech and international history. I believe it is a temporary exhibition, it is one of the best I have ever seen
Basically, if you go to Pilsen, please visit!
On arrival we thought it looked incredible and resolved to go back the following day. We were so pleased that we did.
I thought everything about it was amazing:
- the architecture, it was so beautiful inside
- the way that you were just left to wander around the building on your own- you were able to go upstairs and view the building from every angle
- the fact that the building had been restored so beautifully (they are still working on it) after the sad things it has been through
- the fact it is now a working synagogue
- the fact it is (I believe) the third-biggest synagogue in the world
- the emotion locked up in the place- it hit me as soon as I had stepped into the main space
- the fact that there was an amazing photo exhibition lining the walls from events in Czech and international history. I believe it is a temporary exhibition, it is one of the best I have ever seen
Basically, if you go to Pilsen, please visit!
Written July 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeawoodCouple
Leawood, KS281 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Large, very impressive building that was built in the late 1800's when there was a substantial number of Jews living in the area. It is fortunate that the structure was not torn down or ruined during the Nazi and Communist periods. Interestingly there is currently an exhibition of American photographs from the Great Depression (1930s & 40s), many from the famous photographer Dorothea Lange. Would highly recommend a visit as there is not a whole lot to do in Pilsen.
Written September 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John C
145 contributions
Mar 2020
We were doing a walk round the old part of Plzen,,,, And were wowed by this building, Quite spectacular
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When are the visiting hours for the interior of the synagogue?
Written February 23, 2019
From April 1, it is open from 10 AM to 6:00 PM every day except Saturday
Written February 24, 2019
Mariamoret
Leszno, Poland
Bis wieviel Uhr kann man die Synagoge am Freitag Nachmittag besichtigen? Wir sind eine Gruppe von 14 Personen und möchten gerne am kommenden Freitag Nachmittag (09.12.2016) die Synagoge besichtigen.
Written December 7, 2016
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