Central Cemetery in Havířov-Šumbark

Central Cemetery in Havířov-Šumbark (Czech: Centrální hřbitov v Havířově-Šumbarku) is the main cemetery serving the city of Havířov, located in the northern part of the Šumbark district on Hřbitovní Street, close to the local railway station. At first glance it looks like an ordinary municipal cemetery of a postwar Upper Silesian mining town, but its story is closely tied to the founding of Havířov itself — one of the last major cities built from scratch in Czechoslovakia.

Why was this cemetery created?

Havířov was constructed between 1946 and 1955 as a new mining city meant to house the thousands of families arriving to work in the surrounding coal mines. Before that, burials in the area took place around the Empire-style Church of Saint Anna near the Sušanka stream, where a churchyard cemetery had operated since 1806. The trouble was that the old cemetery sat directly in the path of the planned Hlavní třída (Main Street), the axial boulevard around which the new city's most important buildings and squares were to be arranged. Rather than redesign the whole urban plan, the authorities chose to establish an entirely new municipal cemetery in Šumbark, closer to the railway station — and this new site took over as the city's main burial ground.

What can visitors see today?

The Central Cemetery covers roughly 2.21 hectares and has long served not only as a burial site but also as a kind of record of the city's growth — miners, victims of mining accidents, and the generations who built Havířov from nothing in the postwar decades all rest here. The grounds include a cremation garden and columbaria, reflecting the rising popularity of cremation in the region. Between 2016 and 2018 the cemetery underwent a significant expansion, which included the completion of a new ceremonial hall used by families for funeral services.

The cemetery is not a tourist attraction in the traditional sense, but for anyone interested in the history of Upper Silesian mining or in the planned socialist-era cities of Czechoslovakia, it's a worthwhile short stop — especially combined with a look around Havířov itself, known for its modernist housing blocks and distinctive urban layout.

How to get there and when to visit?

The cemetery sits close to Havířov railway station, making it easy to reach for both locals and visitors relying on public transport. As an active burial ground, it can be visited year-round during the standard opening hours typical of municipal cemeteries in the region — the calmest time to visit is on weekday mornings, outside peak visiting hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Central Cemetery in Havířov-Šumbark open to visitors? Yes, as a municipal cemetery it is publicly accessible during standard opening hours set by the city.

Why was the cemetery moved away from the Church of Saint Anna? Because the old churchyard cemetery stood directly in the path of the planned Main Street, the axial boulevard of the newly built city of Havířov.

What is on the cemetery grounds besides graves? A cremation garden, columbaria, and a new ceremonial hall completed between 2016 and 2018.

How big is the cemetery? It covers an area of about 2.21 hectares.

Is there a railway station nearby? Yes, the cemetery is close to Havířov railway station, which makes it convenient to reach by public transport.