There's a whole Jewish district in Lomnice (small, about 100 houses). It used to be a separate township, the two were unified after the creation of Czechoslovakia, in 1919 I think. They used to be separated by a gate, then a chain; the chain was removed in 1920. Sadly, like anywhere else, the Jews were deported during WW2 and now there are no Jews in the Jewish district. The only trace left is an information board at the entrance, the cemetery and this synagogue.
Next to the Jewish district, there's also the originally Christian cemetery. We didn't go there, but I took a photo of the chapel (or what's this kind of building called.)
There's a bakery in this house, and by the looks of it, there always has been. To the left, there are the two cemeteries.
An interesting house next to the bakery.
To the right there's the township square.
There's a house in the opposite corner of the square that apparently used to be a brewery.
With a statue of Gambrinus, a highly hypothetical Celtic god of beer.
The signs on this little house said "Dressmaker 's - Confectionery." Interesting combination!
Then there's this thing father called "a Christian totem pole". It really looks like one... Apparently, there's Virgin Mary on top of it, and there's the tree in the garden of Eden, including the snake. But that's all I'm able to say about it.
Father says this is a typical Moravian town hall. Township hall...
And, considering the size of the township, a huge church.
Beautiful inside. This photo was taken through an ironwork gate inside the church. That's why it's off-centered... It's quite a typical Czech/Moravian Catholic church. Most Catholic churches I've been to looked something like this. Baroque, I think. Most Catholic churches in the Czech Republic were either built or rebuilt during the Baroque era.
Other than these, there's also a smallish chateau/manor/whatever on a hill, but we didn't go there and it wasn't very photogenic.
P.S. Lady Katza is having a giveaway of zippers, elastic and some pretty laces - some useful things for sure!
Wow what a beautiful picturesque town. How old are the buildings? So different from the towns in England, but still with a deep sense of history.
ReplyDeleteI am so enjoying these - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAmazing to think that all your Catholic churches are from the Baroque era! Seems strange to an American.
The photos are very beautiful. I have to go take my final on the Holocaust today.
ReplyDeleteMrsC - The town hall, the church, the chapel, the unphotographed chateau are late Renaissance - early Baroque, 17th century; the synagogue was built at the end of 18th century so I guess that's still Baroque. I'm not sure about the other houses, but I'd take a guess at 19th century.
ReplyDeleteLisa - I was thinking of you when I posted it. :-) I think it's not quite usual in Europe either - I mean, that sort of Baroque uniformity... It's a Central European thing. And I think the rounded shapes of the churches contribute to my country's very homely feel, part of what I love about it... Although I recall Karel Čapek writing about Baroque in Spain and how it feels familiar.
But not all Catholic churches here are Baroque. Some were only rebuilt (like the one in my hometown, which has Baroque front and still the gothic stones in the back) and some of them are newer, even some very modern. It's just that the majority of them is, practically all churches in the countryside. So it's the lasting impression you get. And the interiors are often Baroque even in the older churches (e.g. Baroque altars).
Stephanie - Good luck with your exam!