Jews first settled in Plizen in the 14th Century and established a small synagogue there that has been rebuilt and renovated many times over the centuries. The Stara (Old) Synagogue of Plizen that exists today dates to an 1859 (1875) construction. Fairly modest and somewhat hidden, the synagogue suggests a Jewish community that at the time sought to avoid much attention. Later in the 19th century, as the community grew to more than 2,000 members and became more prosperous and confident, Jews began work on Plizen’s larger and much more prominent Velka (Great) Synagogue. Velka became the primary place of worship for Plizen’s Jews and Stara went into a long decline aggravated by emigration, WWII and Nazi occupation. Today, the Stara synagogue, while charming to visit, is largely a relic of crumbling plaster and exposed bricks. Some restoration work is ongoing and the building is used as a hall for temporary exhibitions.