Cemetery in Luhačovice

The Cemetery in Luhačovice is a modern municipal burial ground set at the edge of this well-known Moravian spa town, surrounded by forest that gives the site an unusually calm, contemplative atmosphere. Unlike many of the region's older graveyards, it is a relatively recent addition, built in the second half of the 20th century to solve a very practical problem.

Why was a new cemetery needed?

The town's original cemetery stood within a residential district of Luhačovice, and as the spa town grew, that location left no room for expansion. City authorities had to find an alternative site. A suitable plot was chosen in 1969, construction began in 1973, and the new cemetery was officially handed over in 1978. The project was carried out as part of "Action Z," a form of community-organized construction common to many public works in Czechoslovakia during that era.

Who designed the cemetery?

The architectural design dates to 1974 and was created by Brno-based architect Vladimír Pally. His concept gave the site a distinctive identity, blending practical function with symbolism and visual art — making the Luhačovice cemetery a notable example of 1970s approach to funerary architecture, quite different from the plain, utilitarian cemeteries typical of the period.

Why doesn't the building display obvious religious symbols?

Because of the ideological requirements of the time, the ceremonial hall had to be designed without overt Christian symbolism. The architect found a clever workaround: a cross is subtly worked into the very floor plan of the building, invisible at first glance but clearly recognizable to anyone who knows to look for it. The dominant decorative motif inside the ceremonial hall, meanwhile, is the hourglass — a fitting symbol of time passing, well suited to the building's purpose.

What artwork can visitors see there?

Artists Stanislav Podhrázský and Alois Valenta contributed frescoes and sculptures that decorate the ceremonial hall. Their work gives the building an almost gallery-like quality, a rare feature for a cemetery structure, where contemporary art intersects with a space meant for farewell and remembrance.

What does the cemetery complex consist of?

The new cemetery is made up of four elements: the ceremonial hall, burial plots laid out within the surrounding forest, a columbarium grove for urns, and a scattering meadow for ashes. This last section was expanded between 1987 and 1990, reflecting how the cemetery gradually adapted to changing burial customs and the community's evolving needs over the decades.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery in Luhačovice built? The site was chosen in 1969, construction started in 1973, and the cemetery was completed and handed over in 1978.

Who designed the ceremonial hall? The 1974 design is the work of Brno architect Vladimír Pally.

Why is there no visible cross in the architecture? Ideological restrictions at the time barred overt Christian symbols, so the architect embedded a cross discreetly into the building's floor plan instead of displaying it openly.

Is there space for urns at the cemetery? Yes, the complex includes a columbarium grove and a scattering meadow for ashes, which was expanded between 1987 and 1990.

What is the setting of the cemetery like? It lies in a quiet forested area, distinguishing it from typical urban graveyards and reinforcing its calm, contemplative character.