Hřbitov zaniklé obce Újezd

The cemetery of the vanished village of Újezd is a quiet, half-forgotten burial ground in the Krásná municipality in the Cheb region, the only lasting trace of a German village that ceased to exist in the mid-20th century. Tucked away from the main tourist routes and surrounded by forest, the site mainly draws visitors interested in the history of the Czech-Bavarian borderland and those seeking a peaceful spot away from crowds.

Where did this village come from?

The first written mention of Újezd dates back to 1331, when the village belonged to the Neuberg family. At that time the settlement was known as Merring, and from the 18th century onward it was called Mähring. Its inhabitants were German farmers who had held Lutheran services since the 16th century, supported by the local Zedtwitz lords, who took over Újezd from the Neubergs around the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries.

The village grew over the centuries, reaching its peak population in 1890, when 350 Germans lived there and the settlement was elevated to municipal status. After that, the population steadily declined, especially during the interwar period.

Why did the village disappear from the map?

The fate of Újezd was sealed at the end of World War II. In 1946 its German inhabitants were expelled as part of the postwar transfer of the German population from Czechoslovakia. The abandoned buildings deteriorated over the following years, and in 1950 the village officially ceased to exist as an independent settlement. Today its former territory survives only as a cadastral area within the municipality of Krásná.

What can be seen there today?

A school was built in the village in 1861, and four years later, in 1865, a cemetery was established there — it is this cemetery that became the only remaining trace of the entire settlement. For decades the burial ground was forgotten, overgrown with trees and shrubs, while tombstones and graves gradually fell into disrepair.

That changed around 2009–2010, when a careful restoration of the cemetery was carried out thanks to the efforts of the Smrčín Association from Aš, the municipality of Krásná, and the partner German town of Rehau. Today the centerpiece of the site is a tree-lined avenue surrounded by remnants of tombstones and a wooden cross. A restored war memorial stands nearby as well.

Who is this place for?

The cemetery of the vanished village of Újezd appeals above all to visitors interested in the history of the Czech-German borderland, the traces of depopulated Sudeten villages, and the social and military history of the Cheb region after 1945. It also serves as a stop on hiking and cycling routes connecting the Krásná area with nearby border attractions.

Frequently asked questions

When did the village of Újezd cease to exist? The village was abandoned after its German inhabitants were expelled in 1946, and it formally ceased to exist in 1950.

What remains of the former village? The only lasting remnant is the cemetery, founded in 1865 and restored between 2009 and 2010, along with a nearby war memorial.

Who carried out the cemetery restoration? The restoration was made possible through cooperation between the Smrčín Association from Aš, the municipality of Krásná, and the German partner town of Rehau.

Is the site easy to reach? The cemetery lies within the former cadastral territory of the village, now part of the Krásná municipality, in a quiet, forested corner of the Cheb region.