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Radnice (German, Radnitz) is a town in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic. It lies some 20 km (12 mi) to the northeast from the region capital of Plzeň.
Radnice is also the seat of the Municipality with Commissioned Local Authority within the Plzeň Municipality with Extended Competence.
In 19th century coal mining developed in vicinity of Radnice, igniting industrial development, especially in the territory of Břasy. Radnice's coal basin was depleted in 20th century and the region has partially reverted to the rural economy.
Some Jewish connections: Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise (1819-1900), founder of American Hebrew Union College, served as a rabbi in Radnice.
Synagogue Radnice's synagogue dates from 1781 and is located in a preserved section of the former Jewish ghetto, on Kaspar Sternberg Square. After the Nazi occupation, the building housed a garage and auto-repair shop until 1992, when it was partially restored. Today it serves as a concert and exhibition hall. The synagogue is Number 221 among Czech Cultural Monuments.
Cemetery The Jewish cemetery of Radnice was purportedly founded in the 16th century, with the earliest surviving tombstone dated 1734. It expanded in the 19th century; today there are only about 20 intact tombstones. The cemetery is located to the east of the town center, accessible via a dirt road leading to Chomle. Original stone and brick walls, gates, and the Tahara house still exist.
Radnice is included in the Czech government's Jewish Trails project.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radnice http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synagoga_v_Radnic%C3%ADch http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%BDidovsk%C3%BD_h%C5%99bitov_v_Radn...
A 2022 book about Jewish cemeteries in Radnice,Terešov and Hřešihlavy is also sold abroad by the online bookstore Kosmas.
Contact: info@kosmas.cz
Petra Vladařová : Židovské hřbitovy v Radnicích, Terešově a Hřešihlavech
The book provides information about tombstones and texts on them, the history of contemporary Jewish communities and important families.