Cemetery in Onšov

The cemetery in Onšov is a small, quiet burial ground located in the picturesque municipality of Onšov, in the Vysočina (Highlands) region of the Czech Republic. Modest as it may appear, the site preserves traces of history reaching back to the medieval era, making it an intriguing stop for travelers drawn to the lesser-known corners of the Czech countryside.

Where is the cemetery in Onšov located?

The cemetery sits on a hillside west of a stream that runs through the valley along which the village's scattered houses are spread out. A church stands at the center of the cemetery grounds, with a rectory located nearby. This layout — a church surrounded by graves, with the priest's residence close by — is typical of many rural cemeteries in the Vysočina region and reflects the site's long-standing role as the spiritual center of the local community.

What is the history of Onšov?

The village of Onšov first appears in historical records in 1252, when a man named Markvart of Onšov founded a fortified stronghold there. From at least the 13th century onward, Onšov functioned as a fortified settlement that also included a church — evidence that the sacred and burial traditions associated with this place stretch back to the very origins of the village.

What happened to the old cemetery church on Hůrka hill?

Above Onšov, on a hill known as Hůrka, there once stood a church dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Lord. Researchers believe its origins may predate the mid-13th century, which would make it one of the oldest sacred structures in the area. During the 16th century, the building served as a burial church, used for interments. The church was renovated and furnished in 1693, but its fate was sealed in the following century: it was closed in 1785 and ultimately demolished in 1818. Despite the building's destruction, two tombstones dated 1582 and 1589 have been partially preserved to this day, offering tangible evidence of burials carried out here several centuries ago.

Why is this place worth a visit?

The cemetery in Onšov is not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense — there are no grand monuments or elaborate mausoleums to be found. Its value lies elsewhere: in its authenticity and historical continuity. This is a place where layers of history overlap — from the medieval fortress, through the 16th-century burial church on the hill, to the present-day parish cemetery in the valley. For anyone interested in regional history, sacred architecture, or simply quiet, off-the-beaten-path corners of the Czech countryside, Onšov can be a rewarding stop on a trip through the Vysočina highlands.

The surrounding landscape also offers scenery typical of the region — gentle hills, stream-carved valleys, and the scattered rural settlement pattern characteristic of smaller villages in central Bohemia and Moravia's border areas.

Frequently asked questions

Are there any historic tombstones preserved at the cemetery in Onšov? Yes, though not at the current cemetery by the church in the valley — rather at the site of the former burial church on Hůrka hill, where two tombstones from 1582 and 1589 have been partially preserved.

Does the church on Hůrka hill still stand? No, the building was closed in 1785 and demolished in 1818. Nothing of the physical structure remains today, only traces of the former burials in the form of tombstones.

When was the village of Onšov founded? Onšov is first mentioned in historical sources in 1252, in connection with the founding of a fortified stronghold there by Markvart of Onšov.

Where exactly is the cemetery located? The cemetery is situated on a hillside west of a stream, in the valley along which the village of Onšov is spread, within the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic.