Cemetery in Domažlice

The Municipal Cemetery in Domažlice is the main burial ground of Domažlice, a town in the Pilsen Region of the Czech Republic, in the historic Chodsko region close to the Bavarian border. Covering more than four hectares, it has served as the town's principal cemetery since the late 19th century.

How to get there?

The cemetery lies on the edge of Domažlice, along the road toward the village of Chrastavice, just behind a low hill known as Škarman. It's a quiet, tree-lined part of town, set back from the main square and historic centre but still an easy walk or short drive away for anyone visiting Domažlice. Its coordinates are roughly 49°26'32" N, 12°56'40" E.

What will you see?

The current municipal cemetery was laid out in 1894, replacing an older, smaller burial ground that had stood near the church of St. John and could no longer meet the needs of the growing town. Today the grounds cover almost 42,000 square metres and belong to the town of Domažlice, with day-to-day upkeep handled by the municipal technical services company, DTS Domažlice.

Visitors will find traditional earth graves alongside newer burial plots, family tombs, and a columbarium for urns. A dedicated scattering meadow sits next to an adjoining cremation garden. The entrance is marked by a historic gate, and a tall central cross forms the visual focal point of the grounds, in keeping with the layout of many Central European Catholic cemeteries of the period. On site there is also an administration building and a ceremonial hall used for funeral services, along with water tanks and a piped water supply along the paths for tending graves. Part of the surrounding cemetery wall survives in its original form, though some sections have since been rebuilt. Scattered among the older plots are a handful of surviving tombstone fragments, quiet evidence of a history spanning well over a century.

The grounds are actively maintained and operate under posted rules and opening hours displayed at the entrance; matters relating to the leasing of burial plots are handled by the property department of Domažlice Town Hall.

When to visit?

Like most Czech cemeteries, this one sees the most visitors around late October and early November, during Dušičky — the Czech equivalent of All Souls' Day — when graves are decorated with flowers and candles. It's a good time to observe how locals honour the memory of relatives. At other times of year, the tree-lined grounds and the view toward Škarman hill make for a peaceful, reflective stop while exploring Domažlice and its nearby historic town centre.

Frequently asked questions

When was the municipal cemetery in Domažlice established? The current cemetery dates from 1894, replacing an earlier burial ground that stood near the church of St. John.

How large is the cemetery? It covers roughly 41,814 square metres, or about 4.2 hectares.

What can visitors find besides graves? Alongside traditional plots there are family tombs, a columbarium, a scattering meadow, an administration building, a ceremonial hall, and a historic entrance gate.

Who manages the cemetery? The town of Domažlice owns it, DTS Domažlice handles day-to-day maintenance, and burial plot leases are arranged through the Town Hall.