Jewish cemetery in Dobříš

The Jewish cemetery in Dobříš sits on a hill called Větrník at the northern edge of town, and ranks among the oldest and best-preserved sites of its kind in Central Bohemia. It was established no later than the first half of the 17th century, and according to local tradition, the site was chosen by Ashkenazi Jews fleeing plague in Vienna during the Thirty Years' War — they are said to have camped here, and it was here, tradition holds, that some of them died, giving rise to the burial ground.

When was the cemetery founded and how did it grow?

The oldest surviving gravestone dates to 1650, confirming the site's early origins. As the Dobříš Jewish community grew, the cemetery was enlarged twice, in 1781 and 1863. It now covers an area of 7,401 square meters, holding roughly 250 preserved tombstones — a fraction of the burials the community would have carried out over three centuries of use.

What happened to the cemetery during World War II?

Burials continued uninterrupted until 1942, when the Jews of Dobříš and the surrounding area were deported to concentration camps, effectively ending the local Jewish community. During the war and for decades afterward — with waves of vandalism especially after 1945, continuing until 1991 — the cemetery suffered repeated damage and neglect, with no community left to maintain it.

Why is the cemetery smaller today than before the war?

The current boundaries are narrower than they were in 1939. The site was reduced in size twice: once before the later restoration, and again in connection with the 1988–89 works, when part of the former cemetery grounds had already been taken up by a tennis court and a mini-golf course built in 1975. This pattern — recreational facilities encroaching on abandoned Jewish cemeteries — was common across postwar Czechoslovakia.

How was the cemetery restored?

A thorough restoration took place in 1988–89: a new wall and gate were built, and the grounds were cleared and stabilized after decades of neglect. Today the cemetery is owned and maintained by the Jewish Community of Prague, which pays for a regular caretaker. The site is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

What threats does the cemetery face today?

Despite its protected status and ongoing care, the cemetery faces the challenges typical of such sites: moderate threats from encroaching vegetation and vandalism, along with lesser threats from uncontrolled access, weather erosion, and pollution.

Frequently asked questions

How many gravestones remain? Around 250 tombstones survive across the cemetery's 7,401 square meters, the oldest dating to 1650.

Who maintains the cemetery today? The Jewish Community of Prague owns the site and funds a permanent caretaker.

Can visitors tour the cemetery? Yes, it is open as a protected cultural monument, though as an active burial ground it calls for respectful behavior on site.

Why is the cemetery smaller than it used to be? Its grounds were reduced twice over the 20th century, including the loss of land to a tennis court and mini-golf course built in 1975.