Cemetery in Habry

Cemetery in Habry is a small, historically significant burial site located in the town of Habry in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, part of the Havlíčkův Brod district in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic. Habry sits on both banks of the Malá Sázavka stream, and the town administratively includes nearby parts such as Frýdnava, Lubno, and Zboží.

What makes the cemetery notable?

Habry is actually home to two distinct cemeteries, each with its own history. The first is an old Jewish cemetery of roughly square shape — one of the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in Bohemia. Based on the dates preserved on its gravestones, it was established as early as the end of the 14th century. The site stands as evidence of a Jewish community's long presence in Habry across the centuries and remains a valuable historical monument for the region today.

The second cemetery is a Christian one that originally surrounded the parish church in the center of town and was enclosed by a stone wall. It served the community in that location until 1818, when — in line with the sanitary regulations of the period that restricted burials close to residential buildings — it was relocated to its current site, where it remains in use today.

What is the historical context of the town?

The most significant architectural landmark in Habry is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, around which the original churchyard cemetery once stood. Visitors to the town can also find smaller examples of religious folk art, including a statue of St. John of Nepomuk and a statue of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters — a fitting presence given the region's strong tradition of volunteer fire brigades.

Habry itself is a small town set within the gently rolling landscape typical of the Vysočina region. The surrounding countryside is well suited to hiking and cycling, with local trails passing through the town itself as well as through adjoining parts, including Frýdnava.

Why is it worth visiting?

The cemeteries of Habry, and especially the surviving Jewish cemetery, bear witness to the region's centuries-long, multicultural history. The site draws visitors interested in local history, genealogy, and funerary architecture — the gravestones and matzevot, despite the passing centuries, still allow fragments of former residents' lives to be traced.

For travelers exploring the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, the cemetery offers a quiet, intimate stop along a route connecting the region's larger attractions — a historic and peaceful place away from the usual tourist crowds.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Jewish cemetery in Habry? Based on the dates recorded on its gravestones, the cemetery was founded at the end of the 14th century, making it one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the Czech Republic.

Is there only one cemetery in Habry? No — the town has two separate cemeteries: the historic Jewish cemetery and a Christian cemetery, which was moved to its present location in 1818.

Where was the Christian cemetery originally located? It surrounded the parish church in the center of Habry and was enclosed by a stone wall before being relocated in 1818.

What else is worth seeing in Habry besides the cemetery? The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and roadside statues of St. John of Nepomuk and St. Florian.