JACOB JR, MY JEWISH WORLD. LOKET/CZECH REPUBLIC

Yom Shishi, Nissan 28, 5776. Friday, May 6, 2016. Omer: day 13.

Shalom! World.

Loket is a significant historical settlement enticing to touring the local monuments. At the same time it is a tourist centre with a wide offer of interesting destinations and options of spending the leisure time.

The town is situated in a picturesque landscape of the Ohre River and Slavkov Forest. The dreamy, mildly undulating country with deep forest is full of colours in every season and it offers peace, idyllic places and natural points of interest such as the mythical Svatos Rocks.

The gothical castle, open year-round and presenting a very interesting exhibition, stands out not only by its position. You will find the typical Loket burgher houses under the castle. The reconstructed town walls and the Trinity Column in the town square are unique as well. All is looked upon by the Baroque church of St. Wenceslas.

The town offers a lot of new knowledge and once-in-a-life-time cultural experiences throughout the whole uses the unique ambience of the Ohre River valley with the backdrop of the  Gothic castle as part of the theatre stage or the historical "Burgrave Puta Festival" are just the cream on top of the cultural cake offered by the town.

The Margrave's House - up to today's ground floor a Romanesque building, burnt down in 1725 and was set up into its present appearance for museum purposes at the beginning of the past century. Following recent reconstructions the museum of porcelain has been re-opened on the first floor of this building. Tombstones coming from the former Loket cemetery at St. John's church and rabbi Benjamin's Rennaisance tombstone from the extinct Jewish cemetery arranged into a row around Margrave's House.

The gravestone of Benjamin, a son of Moshe (died 1610). The Jewish cemetery was situated on the Robicske suburb.The cemetery was probably destroyed during the 30's Years War, as the Jews were banned form Loket in 1637. The Jewish settlement in Loket had been documented since the 15th century. Jews were banned from the town several times but allowed to return back eventually. Until the end of 19th century, a significant Jewish community existed here. The number of Jews constantlly decreased as the town gradually lost significance. In the 20th century the local Jews belonged to the Jewish community in Falknov nad Ohri, which was wiped out during the Nazi occupation of Bohemia.

Goeth in Loket

I don't know how many old hotels still stand in the Czech Republic, but i'm sure there aren't many. Hotel Bily kun began welcoming guests as early as the mid-16th century, and already bore the name Bily kun at the time. Today it's one of the oldest hotels in Europe, and as such it definitely remembers a lot. For example, it remembers the 74th birthday celebration of the aforementioned luminary of his time, Johann Wolfgang von Goeth (1749-1832). Goeth, who adored the beauty of the Karlovy Vary region and often visited (and even fell in love here twice), celebrated his 74th birthday on the terrace of the Bily kun hotel (29 August 1823). He later remarked that this was one of the happiest days of his life.

The historical town of Loket offers a variety of options for spending your leisure time due to its location, and surrounding nature throughout the whole year. Lovers of classical bicycle riding, hiking or canoeing can enjoy their hobby here, as well as the "adrenalinaddicted" bikers or lovers of other attractive sports.

Shalom! Aleichem.

Cultural Support:  Jacob Jr. B.A.C.E., avec L'Integration d'Association avec Israel et dans le Monde/Cz .