Jewish cemetery in Byšice

The Jewish cemetery in Byšice is one of the oldest surviving Jewish burial grounds in Central Bohemia, established in the early 17th century and still clearly visible in the landscape of this small town near Mělník.

When was the cemetery founded?

The cemetery was established in 1607. The land was purchased by a local Jewish resident named David, who paid four groschen for the plot in order to secure a burial place for his family in line with Jewish tradition. During the 18th century the grounds were enlarged twice, a sign that the local Jewish community was growing steadily during that period.

What can visitors see there today?

The oldest legible tombstone, located at the southern edge of the cemetery, dates back to 1723. Sources differ on how many tombstones have survived — estimates range from roughly 197 to 300 gravestones, which still makes it one of the larger Jewish cemeteries of its kind in the region. Burials continued here without interruption until the outbreak of World War II. After the war, the mortuary building that once stood on the grounds was demolished, and the site fell into decline for decades.

How was the cemetery restored?

In the 1990s the cemetery underwent a thorough restoration. Invasive vegetation that had overgrown the gravestones over the years was cleared, and the grounds — which had at times been used as an illegal dumping site in the postwar decades — were cleaned up. The surrounding boundary wall was also renewed, and a wrought-iron gate decorated with a Star of David motif was installed at the entrance, which today serves as one of the site's most recognizable features.

Where exactly is the cemetery located?

The burial ground sits on a small hill in the eastern part of Byšice, along a street known as Cemetery Street, which connects the Church of St. John the Baptist to the former castle. The plot forms an elongated rectangle that slopes gently toward the south, giving the site a terraced character — older graves lie higher up the slope, while newer ones are closer to the foot of the hill.

Why is this cemetery worth visiting?

The Jewish cemetery in Byšice bears witness to a community that helped shape the history of this part of Bohemia for more than three centuries. Unlike many similar sites that vanished due to neglect or deliberate destruction, this cemetery survived thanks to careful restoration work and today stands as a quiet, historically significant place of remembrance, open to visitors interested in the region's Jewish heritage.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Jewish cemetery in Byšice? The cemetery was founded in 1607, making it more than 400 years old.

How many tombstones have survived to this day? Sources give different figures, ranging from about 197 to 300 preserved gravestones.

Is the cemetery open to the public? Yes. Following its restoration in the 1990s, the grounds are maintained and enclosed by a wall with an entrance gate, allowing visitors to walk through.

How do you get to the cemetery? It stands on a hill in the eastern part of Byšice, along the road connecting the Church of St. John the Baptist to the former castle.