City Cemetery in Kroměříž

Kroměříž City Cemetery is the main burial ground of this Moravian town, stretching across roughly 7.4 hectares along Velehradská street. Established in the early 20th century, it remains the principal resting place for the town's residents and continues to serve the surrounding communities today.

Why did Kroměříž need a new cemetery?

Until the late 18th century, burials in Kroměříž took place around the town's churches – the oldest cemetery stood in the marketplace near the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in the lower part of what is now Riegrova Square, and it remained in use until 1788. Over time this arrangement became inadequate for a growing town, and the decisive push for a large new cemetery came from the town's healthcare expansion: between 1905 and 1909, Kroměříž built both a major hospital and a psychiatric care institution. The rising number of deaths handled by these facilities outpaced what the older, smaller parish cemeteries could accommodate, prompting the creation of a spacious new burial ground on Velehradská street.

What can visitors find on the cemetery grounds?

The Velehradská cemetery evolved throughout the 20th century as burial customs changed. In 1930, an urn grove was opened on the site for cremated remains, and in 1978 a scattering meadow was added for those choosing to have their ashes scattered rather than buried in a traditional grave. The grounds also include a funeral chapel used for farewell ceremonies and a columbarium with urn niches. Across all cemeteries managed by the town's technical services, there are roughly 11,400 burial plots in total, with about 9,500 of those located at this main city cemetery alone.

Who is buried here?

Among those interred at Kroměříž City Cemetery is the family grave of Army General and President Ludvík Svoboda, one of the most recognizable figures in 20th-century Czechoslovak history, remembered both for his role during the Second World War and for his presidency during the Prague Spring era of 1968. His grave draws not only relatives of those buried nearby but also visitors with an interest in Czechoslovak history.

Who manages the cemetery and what are the opening hours?

Kroměříž City Cemetery, together with smaller burial grounds in the nearby villages of Hradisko, Zlámanka, Těšnovice, Trávník, Drahlov, and Bílany, is administered by Kroměříž Technical Services (Kroměřížské technické služby). The cemetery is open to visitors daily, with hours that shift by season: from May 1 to November 10, gates are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, while from November 11 to April 30, hours run from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This seasonal split accounts for both the longer daylight hours of summer and the shorter days of the late autumn and winter period, including the All Souls' commemorations (Dušičky), when visitor numbers rise sharply.

Frequently asked questions

How large is Kroměříž City Cemetery? It covers approximately 7.4 hectares and is the town's largest cemetery, with about 9,500 burial plots.

When was the cemetery established? The Velehradská street cemetery was established in the early 20th century, driven by the town's growth and the construction of major healthcare facilities between 1905 and 1909.

Does the cemetery offer cremation-related burial options? Yes – an urn grove has operated since 1930 and a scattering meadow since 1978, alongside a traditional columbarium.

Who notable is buried at this cemetery? The family grave of President and Army General Ludvík Svoboda is located here.

What are the cemetery's opening hours? From May through mid-November: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM; for the rest of the year: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.