Former Soborten / Sobědruhy synagogue

The Jewish community of Soborten was probably one of the oldest in Böhmen. It comprised parts of the districts of Teplitz, Dux and Karbitz. A first wooden synagogue is said to have been destroyed by fire around 1500, after which the Jewish families are said to have left the village.

The first documentary evidence of the existence of a large Jewish settlement in Soborten dates back to the first half of the 17th century, after which almost 70 Jewish families are said to have lived in the village around 1620.

The former Soborten synagogue had a tower on which the dates 1553 and 1654 could be seen. It stood in Judengasse (later Tempelstra e, today Stará Ulice). Around 1750, the synagogue is said to have received a clock as a gift from Empress Maria Theresa; this enabled the congregation to add a tower to their place of worship to house the clock and bell. In 1899, a community center with a winter prayer hall was added to the synagogue building. In the following years, the synagogue building was renovated and rededicated in 1902 

The interior of the 18th century synagogue was looted by the Nazis in 1938. It was spared from being set on fire because it was not free-standing and it was feared that a fire could spread to the neighboring houses.

The synagogue and its adjoining buildings were not demolished until 1958.