Holocaust survivors' museum to open in Schindler's Czech factory

A new museum for Holocaust survivors is set to open on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Pardubice. It will be held in a former factory owned by Oskar Schindler, a member of the Nazi Party who is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust.

The Arks Foundation, created by the Schindler family as well as the Löw-Beers (a large family of Jewish entrepreneurs), wants to open the museum in May of next year. 

Milan Šudoma, manager of the Schindler's Ark project, revealed that significant progress has been made in the renovation of the building. "We have repaired the roof and ceiling, and expect to have new floors in place by the end of October," he said. He also mentioned that a building permit has been obtained and interior work will begin at the beginning of next year.

The exhibition, which will feature the history of the Löw-Beer family and textile production in the region, will only be open on selected dates. The complex will also include a residential area and a commercial center with workshops for craft production. The estimated cost of the entire project is in the hundreds of millions of crowns.

Sudoma also mentioned plans for a glass pavilion on the site for educational activities, as well as the renovation of other buildings such as the original sleeping quarters for workers. The former building where Schindler had his office will also be part of the museum, showcasing documentaries and interviews with survivors.

The history of the factory is deeply intertwined with the Holocaust. Originally a paper mill, it was converted into a textile factory by Isaac Löw-Beer, a Jewish businessman. During World War Two, it was turned into a munitions factory and became a branch camp of the Groß-Rosen concentration camp. Schindler, a German businessman, saved the lives of over 1,000 mainly Jewish workers by moving them from his Polish factory to Brněnec, Pardubice.

After the war, Schindler received numerous awards for his actions but struggled to run a successful business. The factory in Brnenec was operated by various companies after the fall of the communist regime in 1989, but production ceased in 2011 when the site was abandoned. The Arks Foundation purchased the site in 2018.