Cemetery in Řepy

Řepský Cemetery is a small but historically layered burial ground in Prague's Řepy district, on Žalanského street. Administratively part of Prague 6, it rarely appears on typical sightseeing routes through the Czech capital — which is a shame, since it holds a handful of stories that most visitors never come across.

Why was the cemetery founded?

The cemetery was established in 1837 to replace the older churchyard burial ground at the local Church of St Martin, which was closed down around that time. Moving burial grounds away from the immediate vicinity of churches was a common practice across 19th-century Europe, driven largely by sanitary and spatial concerns, and Prague's surrounding villages were no exception.

How has it grown over time?

As Řepy's population grew, the cemetery had to expand along with it. Two major extensions took place, in 1928 and 1957, both stretching the grounds eastward. Traces of these different building phases are still visible in the perimeter wall itself: the older section is enclosed by a wall made of opuka limestone, while the newer section was built using ordinary brick — a small but telling detail for anyone interested in the area's local building history.

What are the cemetery's three sections?

The site today is divided into three distinct parts. The first is the ordinary, still-active burial ground, which continues to grow. The second is a carefully and symmetrically laid-out section belonging to the Sisters of Mercy of the nearby convent of the Borromean Sisters, whose orderly design stands in visible contrast to the rest of the grounds.

The third section carries the most unusual history. It is a former prison cemetery, founded in 1865 alongside the opening of a women's prison in Řepy. Until 1948, only female inmates were buried here. After 1990 the site was cleared: the original graves were replaced with a lawn, leaving only two markers behind — one identifying the site as the "Řepy prison cemetery," and a rough-stone monument bearing a plaque dedicated to Václav Babinský, one of the best-known figures in 19th-century Czech criminal history.

Does the cemetery have a film connection?

Yes — part of the convent section served as a filming location for one of the segments of the Czech film "Kytice" ("The Wedding Shirt" episode), based on the celebrated collection of ballads by Karel Jaromír Erben. For fans of Czech cinema, that's an extra reason to step off the main tourist path and visit.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? On Žalanského street in the Řepy district, administratively part of Prague 6.

Why was it founded in 1837? It replaced the closed churchyard cemetery at the local Church of St Martin.

What makes the former prison section notable? It holds the graves of female inmates from 1865 to 1948, including a memorial to Václav Babinský, though the original graves were replaced with a lawn after 1990.

Is it worth visiting as a tourist? It suits travelers looking for lesser-known, quiet corners of Prague tied to local social history and cemetery architecture, rather than a mainstream attraction.