Cemetery in Hořice na Šumavě

The cemetery in Hořice na Šumavě is a small historic burial ground located in the centre of the town of Hořice na Šumavě, in the Šumava region of the Czech Republic near Lake Lipno. The site has long been tied to the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria, around which it originally spread, forming together with the church a single complex set on a raised platform in the lower part of what is now the town square.

What is the history of this place?

A cemetery surrounding the church already existed in the medieval period, and in 1644 both the church and its adjoining cemetery were reconsecrated — a sign that the site had earlier suffered damage or neglect, a common fate for this region in the aftermath of the Thirty Years' War. For decades afterward the cemetery remained an active burial ground for the townspeople and residents of surrounding villages.

A turning point came in 1787, when the original cemetery by the church was abolished. This decision fits into the wider context of the Josephine reforms carried out across the Habsburg monarchy, under which churchyard cemeteries located in town centres were closed for sanitary reasons and burials were moved outside built-up areas. Although its function as a burial site ended, part of the perimeter wall of the former cemetery has survived to this day, offering a visible trace of the historic layout around the church.

Where exactly is it located?

The site of the former cemetery lies on a raised platform in the lower part of the main square (náměstí) of Hořice na Šumavě, directly beside the Church of St. Catherine. This arrangement — a church on elevated ground enclosed by a cemetery wall, integrated into the square itself — is characteristic of many small towns in South Bohemia and still shapes the architectural character of the town centre today.

What can visitors see on site?

Visitors today can still see a preserved section of the stone wall that once enclosed the cemetery grounds — the most tangible remnant of its history. The Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria itself, around which the cemetery was arranged, remains the main landmark in this part of Hořice and marks the boundaries of the former burial complex. The raised position of the site above the level of the square also helps visitors understand why this spot served a sacred and memorial function for the local community for centuries.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cemetery in Hořice na Šumavě still in use? No — the original cemetery by the Church of St. Catherine was abolished in 1787 and has not served a burial function since.

What remains of the former cemetery? Part of the perimeter wall that once enclosed the cemetery grounds around the church has survived to this day.

Why was the cemetery closed specifically in 1787? That date coincides with the Josephine reforms in the Habsburg monarchy, during which churchyard cemeteries in town centres were widely closed for hygienic reasons.

Where exactly is this site located? On a raised platform in the lower part of the main square (náměstí) in Hořice na Šumavě, next to the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Is it worth combining a visit with other sights in Hořice? Yes — the Church of St. Catherine and the surrounding former cemetery grounds sit directly on the town's central square, making them an easy stop on a short walk through Hořice na Šumavě.