Cemetery in Nová Paka

The Cemetery in Nová Paka is a historic municipal burial ground in the town of Nová Paka, in the Jičín District of the Hradec Králové Region in north-eastern Czechia. For centuries it has served as the main resting place for the town's residents.

Where is the cemetery and what is it called?

The cemetery is dedicated to St. George (sv. Jiří) and was consecrated in 1662 — more than 360 years ago. It sits on the eastern edge of the town center, within easy walking distance of Nová Paka's historic main square, making it simple to combine a visit with a stroll through a town known for its centuries-old gemstone-cutting tradition, including the local Bohemian garnet.

What is the history behind it?

The 1662 consecration falls into the difficult decades following the Thirty Years' War, when many communities across the Podkrkonoší foothills had to rebuild parish life, including their own burial grounds, almost from scratch. Several decades later, between 1700 and 1709, the townspeople of Nová Paka financed and built a chapel on the cemetery grounds dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows (Bolestná Panna Maria). That the chapel was raised through local funding shows how strongly residents were attached to the site and how much importance they placed on a dignified burial for their relatives.

What can visitors see today?

The cemetery keeps the layout typical of small parish burial grounds in the Podkrkonoší region: tree-lined paths, stone and cast-iron grave markers spanning several centuries, and the Baroque cemetery chapel, which still serves as a landmark and a gathering point during funeral services. Many of the older headstones carry the names of families connected to the town's stone-cutting and gem-polishing crafts, a quiet reminder of the local economy that shaped Nová Paka for generations.

When is the best time to visit?

As an active burial ground used year-round, the cemetery is best explored on quiet weekdays, when visitors can take their time examining the old chapel and the oldest headstones. Spring and autumn show the site at its most atmospheric, thanks to the surrounding trees and the weathered stone monuments — particularly around All Saints' Day, when townspeople traditionally visit in numbers to tend family graves.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery in Nová Paka established? The current cemetery, dedicated to St. George, was consecrated in 1662.

Is there a chapel on the grounds? Yes — between 1700 and 1709, the townspeople of Nová Paka built a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows on the cemetery grounds.

Where is the cemetery in relation to the town center? It lies on the eastern edge of Nová Paka, a short walk from the historic main square.

Can a visit be combined with other sights in town? Yes — Nová Paka is known for its gemstone-cutting tradition, and its compact center makes it easy to pair a cemetery visit with the main square and the local garnet museum.