The History of Liberec
A major industrial and administrative center of North Bohemia, Liberec lies between the Jizerske Mountains and the Jested ridge, with the Jested peak rising just to the south of the city. The first appearance of the city in writing comes from the year 1352, in church records revealing that the little village on the Nisa River already had a parish church and that it was a trade center occupying a valuable spot on overland trade routes. At the time the town was in the hands of the Bilberstein family residing in Frydlant Castle to the north. The city is just a few kilometers from the border with Germany, and for a long time was a primarily ethnic German city.
Liberec is a city in northern Bohemia. Jews were not legally permitted to reside in the town until the late 1840's. The Synagogue pictured above, designed by Karl Konig, was dedicated in 1889. At the time of the Sudeten crisis (1938), there were about 1,400 Jews in Liberec. After the annexation by Germany, virtually all the Jews left. The Synagogue was demolished in November, 1938. The postcard below was posted in the early 1900's while the town was under Austrian control.
Note: See additional historical information in the CEMETERY section below.