Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad Cemetery is one of the most distinctive burial grounds in Prague, located in the Prague 2 district, within the historic Vyšehrad fort area. It sits directly north of the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul, one of the most important churches in this part of the city, and the two form a single, closely connected complex that stands out on the hill above the Vltava.

Where exactly is the cemetery located?

The cemetery occupies a small but densely arranged plot within the former Vyšehrad fortification complex. Its position right next to the basilica means that visitors tend to come across it almost naturally while walking across the hill toward the city viewpoints. The site's coordinates (roughly 50.065 N, 14.418 E) place it right at the heart of Prague 2, immediately adjacent to the old fortress buildings.

Who is buried here?

Vyšehrad Cemetery is the resting place of prominent citizens who had a significant influence on the history of the Czech lands. This concentration of graves belonging to people of particular national importance is what sets the cemetery apart from other Prague burial grounds. It is not an ordinary parish cemetery but a site with a symbolic dimension, combining the function of burial with that of commemorating national heritage.

Why is it worth a visit while exploring Vyšehrad?

Vyšehrad itself is one of the oldest and most symbolically charged places in Prague, and the cemetery is an integral part of it. Visitors who come mainly for the city panorama or for the basilica itself often stop at the cemetery as well, simply because of its proximity and because it holds the graves of people connected to the country's broader history. That adds a reflective layer to a walk through Vyšehrad: alongside the architecture and the views, there is also a layer of historical memory.

How does the cemetery fit into the Vyšehrad landscape?

The close proximity of the basilica and the cemetery creates the kind of compact spatial arrangement typical of old sacred complexes in Central Europe, where the church and the burial ground function together as a single unit. This layout makes sightseeing straightforward: a walking route through Vyšehrad naturally leads from the fortress walls, past the basilica, to the cemetery, forming one coherent story about the place.

Frequently asked questions

In which part of Prague is Vyšehrad Cemetery located? It lies in the Prague 2 district, within the Vyšehrad area, directly north of the Basilica of St Peter and St Paul.

Is it an ordinary municipal cemetery? No — it is the burial place of prominent citizens who influenced the history of the Czech lands, which sets it apart from typical parish cemeteries.

Can the cemetery be visited together with the basilica? Yes, due to their direct proximity the two sites are usually visited together as part of a single walk through Vyšehrad.

What is the cemetery called in Czech? Vyšehradský hřbitov.