Jewish cemetery in Janovice nad Úhlavou

The Jewish cemetery in Janovice nad Úhlavou is one of the better-preserved traces of the once-thriving Jewish community of western Bohemia, set on a hillside southwest of the small town. It is reached along a field track branching off the road toward Petrovice nad Úhlavou, passing a former military complex — a short walk from the paved road, but the site itself is freely accessible to visitors.

When was the cemetery founded?

Written records date the founding of the cemetery to 1723, the same year the local synagogue was built. The oldest legible tombstone, however, bears the date 1705, suggesting burials may have taken place here even before the site was formally established — a pattern documented at other rural Jewish burial grounds in the region.

How many tombstones have survived?

More than 250 matzevot (tombstones) remain within the cemetery grounds, making it one of the larger surviving Jewish cemeteries in the Klatovy area. Its entrance, on the northeastern side of the walled enclosure, has been restored and fitted with an ornamental wrought-iron gate. Inside stands a memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust, marking the fate of the community's final generations.

Where did the people buried here come from?

The Jewish religious community of Janovice nad Úhlavou was established in the early 18th century and eventually served Jewish residents from surrounding villages as well, including Dlažov and Beharov, both located a few kilometers away. The community reached its peak size in the final decade of the 19th century, numbering around 58 people, before shrinking sharply as Jewish residents relocated to larger towns in search of work and trade opportunities.

What happened to the Jewish community of Janovice?

By 1930, only 15 Jewish residents remained in the town. World War II and the Holocaust brought the local Jewish community to an end, and it was never re-established after 1945. The cemetery remains one of the few tangible reminders of its existence, alongside the town's former synagogue building.

What protected status does the cemetery hold?

The site is registered as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic and formally belongs to the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, which oversees its maintenance and preservation.

Is it worth visiting?

The cemetery in Janovice nad Úhlavou will appeal to travelers interested in the history of rural Jewish settlement in Bohemia and in the physical traces left by communities destroyed during the war. Its quiet, hillside setting away from major tourist routes offers a contemplative, low-key visit rather than a crowded attraction — a fitting addition to a broader tour of the Klatovy region for anyone drawn to history and funerary architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cemetery open to the public? Yes, it can be visited independently via the field path leading from the road to Petrovice nad Úhlavou.

How many tombstones remain? More than 250, including the oldest one dated to 1705.

Who maintains the cemetery today? The Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, with the site protected as a national cultural monument.

Is there a Holocaust memorial on site? Yes, a monument commemorating Holocaust victims stands within the cemetery grounds.