Cemetery in Chodov

Chodov Cemetery (Czech: Chodovský hřbitov) is a small burial ground in the Prague 4 district, in the Opatov area, closely tied to the history of the Prague Uprising of May 1945. It is not one of the Czech capital's best-known cemeteries, but its origins and layout make it a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the closing days of the Second World War in Prague.

Where exactly is the cemetery located?

Chodov Cemetery sits in Opatov, within the wider Chodov area, at the junction of U Chodovského hřbitova and Lečkova streets, inside the administrative territory of Prague 4. It is a quiet residential neighborhood away from the city's main tourist routes, which has helped the cemetery keep the intimate, low-key character typical of local parish burial grounds.

When was it built and what is its history?

Construction began as early as 1935, though the cemetery was not actually opened until around 1945. The original plans were far more ambitious than what was eventually built: like Ďáblice Cemetery, Chodov Cemetery was meant to become a new central burial ground for Greater Prague. In the end it took shape on a much smaller scale, and its character was permanently marked by the events at the end of the war.

The first burials took place in 1945 and were directly connected to the Prague Uprising. Those laid to rest here were mainly people who died during that time at the hospital in Krč, along with numerous residents of Chodov and Háje who lost their lives fighting in the uprising. In this way, the cemetery became a place of remembrance for a local community affected by the final weeks of the occupation.

How is the cemetery grounds divided?

The site is split into three sections separated by its main paths. The right front section holds traditional ground graves, the left front section contains columbaria, while the rear part is home to a memorial dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who fell in the Battle of Sokolovo. This layout reflects both the cemetery's role as a parish burial ground and its ties to the wartime history of this part of Prague.

What memorials can be found on the grounds?

Besides the memorial to the Soviet soldiers, the cemetery has gained further commemorative elements in recent years. In 2016, a stone cross bearing a gilded figure of Christ was erected. Five years later, in 2021, a plaque honoring the fallen residents of Chodov was placed against the cemetery wall in the rear section, on the left-hand side — another trace of the site's connection to the wartime events of 1945.

Who is likely to find this place interesting?

Chodov Cemetery is primarily a destination for anyone interested in Prague's local history and the events of the May 1945 uprising, rather than a conventional tourist attraction. It will also appeal to visitors drawn to war cemeteries and World War II memorials who are looking for sites less frequented than Prague's major necropolises, such as Olšany Cemetery or Vyšehrad Cemetery.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Chodov Cemetery located? It lies in Prague 4, in the Opatov area, at the junction of U Chodovského hřbitova and Lečkova streets.

When was the cemetery established? Construction started in 1935, and the cemetery opened around 1945.

What are the first burials at the cemetery connected to? The first people buried here in 1945 were mainly victims of the Prague Uprising, including patients who died at the hospital in Krč and residents of Chodov and Háje who fell in the fighting.

How is the cemetery grounds laid out? It is divided into three sections: a right front area with graves, a left front area with columbaria, and a rear section holding a memorial to Soviet soldiers who died at the Battle of Sokolovo.

What newer memorials can visitors see there? A stone cross with a gilded figure of Christ was erected in 2016, and a plaque honoring fallen Chodov residents was placed on the cemetery wall in 2021.