Hřbitov Nová Říše

The Jewish cemetery in Nová Říše is a small but strikingly picturesque burial ground laid out on a steep slope above a river, right next to the small town best known for its Premonstratensian monastery. Unlike many other Jewish cemeteries scattered across the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, this one retains a clearly readable division into successive building phases, making it a genuinely interesting record of the local Jewish community's long presence in the region.

How is the cemetery laid out?

The grounds slope down toward the river and split into three distinct sections, separated by walls built from split quarry stone. The oldest, lowest-lying section has an entrance that is now walled up. The middle part is marked off by a rectangular portal bearing a carved date of 1787, likely commemorating an expansion of the enclosure. The newest section, closest to the river, has its own opening cut through a wall of rough quarried stone. This three-part layout lets visitors trace how the cemetery grew across generations of burials.

Why does the older section sit higher than its surroundings?

A distinctive feature of the older part of the cemetery is how the ground has been built up almost to the top of the enclosure wall. This happened through repeated additions of soil and layered burials, one level above another — a practice found at other historic Jewish cemeteries, where a limited plot of consecrated ground had to accommodate more burials than its original footprint allowed rather than expanding onto new land. The newer section, added at the start of the 20th century, sits outside this layered system, on its own lower level closer to the river.

What has survived from the old tombstones?

The surviving matzevot are carved from sandstone, flat, semicircular at the top, and traditionally oriented to face east. Many still display symbolism typical of Jewish funerary art: the blessing hands of the Kohanim, crowns representing a good name or devotion to Torah study, and — most common of all — the Star of David. This range of forms, from the plainest early slabs to more decorative later work, reflects the changing tastes and fortunes of the local Jewish community across generations.

What happened to the newer part of the cemetery?

The newer section, established around the turn of the 20th century, was seriously damaged by the Nazis during the Second World War. This destruction is a painful but, unfortunately, common chapter in the history of Jewish cemeteries across Bohemia and Moravia — many suffered the same fate, permanently losing a significant share of their tombstones and the historical record of those buried there.

Why is it worth a visit?

The cemetery in Nová Říše combines historical, architectural, and landscape value in equal measure. Its terraced position on the hillside, the stone walls that still show clear traces of successive building phases, and the surviving 18th- and 19th-century matzevot make it a rewarding stop both for anyone researching the history of the local Jewish community and for travelers looking for a quiet, atmospheric place off the main tourist track through Nová Říše's monastery grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cemetery open to visitors? The grounds are enclosed by a stone wall, and the older entrances in the oldest and middle sections have been walled up — practical access is through the newer opening closer to the river.

What is the oldest confirmed date on site? The carved date of 1787 on the middle section's portal is the earliest firm reference point, though the cemetery itself may predate it.

Why do the tombstones face east? This is the traditional Jewish orientation, referencing the direction of Jerusalem and the sunrise as a symbol of resurrection.