Hřbitov Skalice

Hřbitov Skalice is a small, still-active parish cemetery in Skalice, a district south of the historic center of Frýdek-Místek in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The burial ground sits right next to St. Martin's Church and the road running through the village, together with the Jubilee elementary school and the kindergarten dating from 1928 forming one of the most recognizable clusters of buildings in this part of town.

Where does the name Skalice come from?

The settlement around which the cemetery grew up most likely dates back to the 12th or 13th century. The earliest written record of it comes from 1305, when a document commissioned by Bishop Henry of Vrbno — a register listing all villages obliged to pay church tithes — recorded the name "Skalicza." The name itself derives from the rocky outcrops surrounding the village, where limestone and building stone were once quarried. Skalice remained an independent municipality until 1979, when it was incorporated into the administrative territory of Frýdek-Místek.

What is the significance of St. Martin's Church next to the cemetery?

Standing directly beside the cemetery is St. Martin's Church, built in 1617 in the late-Renaissance style with a traditional single-nave layout. In 1848 the church was enlarged: the nave was extended, side chapels with oratories were added, and a bell tower was built. The bell itself dates from 1774 and remains one of the older surviving elements of the church's furnishings. Together with the adjoining cemetery, this religious complex has long served as the spiritual and physical center of Skalice, the focal point around which the religious and social life of the former village revolved.

How is the cemetery structured and managed today?

Hřbitov Skalice is one of six municipal cemeteries administered by the city of Frýdek-Místek, alongside the cemeteries in Frýdek, Chlebovice, Lysůvka, and the two cemeteries in Lískovec (Catholic and Evangelical). According to records compiled in the BillionGraves database, the Skalice cemetery contains close to a thousand documented graves — 968 in total — making it a significant burial site for residents of this part of the city across many generations. The cemetery remains active, with the city maintaining records of graves and burial plots through a city-wide cemetery management system, also accessible online for residents searching for information about specific graves.

Why is this place worth visiting?

Though modest in size and not a conventional tourist attraction, the cemetery in Skalice is an authentic witness to the history of a village whose roots reach back to the Middle Ages. Its close proximity to the historic St. Martin's Church allows visitors to trace the continuity of local history in a single location — from the first mention of Skalice in the 14th century, through the church's expansion in the 19th century, to everyday life in this part of Frýdek-Místek today. It is a place of interest primarily for those drawn to local history, family genealogy research, and regional sacred architecture, rather than a stop on a typical sightseeing itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Hřbitov Skalice located? The cemetery lies in Skalice, a district of Frýdek-Místek in the Moravian-Silesian Region, directly next to St. Martin's Church and the main road running through the village.

Was Skalice always part of Frýdek-Místek? No — it remained an independent municipality until 1979, when it was incorporated into the city of Frýdek-Místek.

How many graves does the cemetery contain? According to the BillionGraves database, 968 graves are recorded at the Skalice cemetery.

Is the cemetery still in use? Yes, it is one of six active municipal cemeteries managed by the city of Frýdek-Místek.