Nová Cerekev: Jewish heritage and historic townscape

Nová Cerekev brings together several themes for a trip with an interest in architecture and local history. These include the synagogue and Jewish cemetery, as well as the Church of St Thomas Becket, distinctive features of the square and the houses on Rubešova Street. A published cycle route called “Nová Cerekev, Čížkov, Proseč” offers a different focus. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, these different themes can help with planning: do you want local history to be the main focus, are you more interested in the architectural ensemble, or would you also like to include a cycle route?

Synagogue and church architecture

The synagogue in Nová Cerekev was built in 1855 in the Neo-Romanesque style, with Oriental elements. After many years of restoration work, it reopened to the public in 2014. The two dates mark different stages: construction in 1855 and reopening in 2014. If you are planning a visit, check the current access arrangements before travelling.

The square and its urban ensemble

The present-day Church of St Thomas Becket has a clearly dated building history: it was built in the Baroque style between 1750 and 1760. Distinctive stone column shrines from the 17th century adorn the square in front of the church. A simple octagonal stone fountain stands in the northern part of the square, opposite house No. 43; it is a striking design feature of the municipality. An architectural perspective brings together different details here: the church’s Baroque style, the earlier date of the column shrines, and the fountain’s geometric shape and precise location. Taken together, the synagogue and the church represent two different styles in the townscape: Neo-Romanesque design with Oriental elements and Baroque.

The houses on the north side of Rubešova Street are also part of the distinctive townscape. They have largely retained their original form and, together with the synagogue, form a striking urban ensemble. The ensemble draws attention to the way the houses and synagogue work together, rather than to the individual buildings alone.

Jewish cemetery

The Jewish cemetery adds a historical and biographical perspective to the architectural themes. A tombstone dating from 1692 is located there. The cemetery’s new section was expanded in 1866 with the addition of a Neo-Gothic ceremonial hall. The two dates refer to different things: 1692 is the date of the tombstone, while 1866 marks the structural extension. The burial place of modern painter Alfred Justitz is also located there. This comparison helps distinguish the tombstone and ceremonial hall as different historical reference points.

Cycle route and practical planning

A cycle route published in 2021 is called “Nová Cerekev, Čížkov, Proseč”. If you include this route in your plans, check the current condition of the road surfaces and the conditions before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Rynárec, Nová Buková, Onšov, Samšín, Mnich, Senozaty, Křelovice, Vyklantice.

Return to the overview of the region: Okres Pelhřimov.