To do a common thing uncommonly well brings success.” — Henry J. Heinz The quote above means a lot to us. It led to us building our collection of DTMX odorless urban socks in collaboration with a family run small Czech factory. Family business in its purest form, meaning that the socks that leave the factory are more than a product, and more than a business. They’re a family’s badge of honor. And so despite gigantic shifts in the way the production industry operates, the factory remains proudly traditional. Nothing but the finest yarns, hand-linked toes, and several quality checks on every single pair. The factory is located in a small Moravian town so rich in history that it has been included on the prestigious UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. The list includes the Basilica of St. Prokop, the Jewish cemetery and the Jewish Quarter, which is special and exceptional for a number of reasons. Above all, it is a unique testimony to the history of local Jewish settlement and its influence on the area. Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica in Třebíč
The ensemble of the Jewish Quarter, the old Jewish cemetery and the Basilica of St Procopius in Třebíč are reminders of the co-existence of Jewish and Christian cultures from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The Jewish Quarter bears outstanding testimony to the different aspects of the life of this community. St Procopius' Basilica, built as part of the Benedictine monastery in the early 13th century, is a remarkable example of the influence of Western European architectural heritage in this region. The first references to Jewish settlement in Třebíč date from the first half of the 14th century. It is not known exactly when the Jewish Quarter was created. However, its construction was influenced by building regulations issued by the nobility in the second half of the 16th century. The number of houses and families grew to the point where in the middle of the 19th century it was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Moravia. However, we are mainly able to appreciate the place’s beauty today, as Třebíč’s Jewish Quarter is perhaps the best preserved conservation zone of its kind in the whole of Europe. It boasts very dense development, valuable public passages within houses, corner arcades and similar treasures. The entire quarter comprises over 120 dwelling houses, as well as former Jewish institutions such as a town hall, school, rabbinate and poorhouse. In 2003 it was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Třebíč’s are the only Jewish landmarks outside Jerusalem to have achieved this distinction. There really are no such well-preserved and beautiful quarters anywhere else outside Israel. Its two main streets, countless little side streets, two synagogues, rabbinate and town hall are literally a feast for the eyes and the senses. It is not just an architectural landmark, either. Visitors are enchanted more than anything by its atmosphere and genius loci, which are incredibly powerful. As one walks among the houses one’s mind wanders to a bygone age, when the local Jewish community was one of the most significant in the Czech lands.
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AuthorDTMX is a brand of funky odorless socks for comfortable, healthy feet, that incorporates fashion, sustainability and innovation. dtmxsocks.cz Categories
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