Cemetery in Úvaly

The Cemetery in Úvaly is a quiet burial ground on the eastern edge of Úvaly, a small town not far from Prague in the Czech Republic. It holds no grand monuments to famous figures, but it carries more than a century of local history, including a sobering episode from the final days of the Second World War.

Why was a new cemetery needed here?

Until the late 19th century, residents of Úvaly were buried at the old, medieval churchyard cemetery by the Church of the Annunciation. As the town grew, that site could no longer keep up with demand, so the municipal office took the initiative to establish a larger, new burial ground. The new cemetery was laid out on the eastern edge of Úvaly, at the corner of 5. května street and the road leading to Tlustovousy, and it was formally inaugurated on November 19, 1894. Today it covers roughly one hectare.

How did the cemetery grow over time?

Expansion followed fairly quickly after the cemetery's founding. In 1905, a mortuary chapel was built on the grounds, and it still serves as the site's ceremonial building today. In 1912, the cemetery was extended further to the north and east to accommodate the town's growing needs. Later still, a scattering lawn and a columbarium were established in the northeastern corner, reflecting changing burial customs over the decades.

What happened here during the Second World War?

The cemetery is also tied to a difficult moment at the close of the Second World War. On May 6, 1945, during the final fighting in Úvaly, gunfire broke out along the cemetery wall, claiming the lives of three civilians. Their deaths were later commemorated with a memorial unveiled at the cemetery on May 4, 1947, dedicated to the victims of the May uprising. The monument remains a point of local remembrance, marking the human cost of the liberation in 1945.

What is worth knowing about Úvaly itself?

Úvaly is an old settlement — the first written mention of the town dates back to 1290, though the site may have been settled even earlier, at the latest by the 13th century. Despite this long history, Úvaly only received official town status in 1969. The cemetery, founded well before that formal recognition, has served as the main burial site for this small community on the route between Prague and eastern Bohemia for well over a hundred years.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery in Úvaly established? It was formally inaugurated on November 19, 1894, replacing the older medieval churchyard cemetery at the Church of the Annunciation.

Where exactly is the cemetery located? On the eastern edge of Úvaly, at the corner of 5. května street and the road toward Tlustovousy, covering roughly one hectare.

What structures does the cemetery contain besides graves? A mortuary chapel dating from 1905, and, in the northeastern corner, a scattering lawn and a columbarium.

What historical event is the cemetery associated with? On May 6, 1945, three civilians were killed in gunfire at the cemetery wall during the final fighting of the war; a memorial to them was unveiled there in 1947.