Spalícek

Spalícek Review

In the lower part of námestí Krále Jirího z Podebrad stand two rickety-looking groups of timbered medieval buildings (11 houses in all) divided by a narrow alley. The houses, forming the area known as Spalícek, date from the 13th century, and were once home to many Jewish merchants. Zidovská ulice (Jews' Street), running uphill to the left of the Spalícek, served as the actual center of the ghetto. The small, unmarked alley running to the left off Zidovská is called ulicka Zavrazdených (Lane of the Murdered); though not signposted, it was the scene of an outrageous act of violence in 1350. Pressures had been building for some time between Jews and Christians. Incited by an anti-Semitic bishop, the townspeople finally chased the Jews into the street, closed off both ends, and massacred them. Now only the name attests to the slaughter.