Jewish cemetery in Kostelec u Křížků

The Jewish cemetery in Kostelec u Křížků ranks among the most beautiful and best-preserved Jewish burial grounds in the Czech Republic. It sits on the western edge of the village of Kostelec u Křížků, in the Prague-East district, and has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 2008.

How do you get there?

There is no direct road access to the cemetery. Visitors reach it via a field path that branches off to the northwest from the road leading toward Radlík. The approach on foot or by bike, walking through open farmland, is part of what gives the site its quiet, contemplative atmosphere, far removed from the bustle of nearby Prague.

What is the history behind the cemetery?

Local tradition holds that the cemetery was founded in 1702, and it remained in active use for burials until the end of the 1930s. Jewish presence in Kostelec is documented as early as the first quarter of the 18th century, when four Jewish families lived in the village. By the mid-19th century that number had grown to seven families, which, together with 23 more families from the surrounding area, formed a Jewish community led by a local rabbi.

The cemetery's significance extended well beyond Kostelec itself. It served Jewish communities scattered across a wide area — from the Prague districts of Michle and Kunratice, through the towns of Uhříněves, Strančice and Pyšely, all the way to Benešov. Burials continued here right up to the outbreak of the Second World War. By around 1930, however, records no longer mention any Jewish residents living in Kostelec itself — the community had gradually dispersed, likely drawn toward larger urban centers.

How did the cemetery grow over time?

During the 1880s the grounds were enlarged to their present size of 2,510 square meters. Notably, almost the entire eastern half of this expanded area was never fully used for burials, which explains the uneven distribution of gravestones visible across the site today.

What can visitors see today?

The cemetery is enclosed by a stone boundary wall that is no longer fully intact, its gaps and weathering only adding to the site's authentic, timeworn character. On the southern side stands a former ceremonial hall, now in an advanced state of disrepair. Despite the visible decay, this building, together with the layout of the older gravestones, remains the most recognizable feature of the cemetery's landscape.

Why is this place worth visiting?

The Jewish cemetery in Kostelec u Křížků combines historical depth with a striking, secluded setting among the fields and woods of Central Bohemia. It stands as a lasting record of a Jewish community that lived and worshipped south of Prague for more than two centuries before disappearing in the interwar period. For anyone interested in Jewish heritage, funerary architecture, or simply a peaceful walk away from crowded tourist routes, this cemetery is well worth the detour.

Frequently asked questions

Can the cemetery be visited freely? The site can be viewed from the outside, but as a protected historical monument and a place of burial, it calls for particular respect and care from visitors.

When was the cemetery founded? Tradition dates its founding to 1702, though some historians consider this an approximate date rather than a firmly documented one.

Until when was the cemetery used for burials? It remained active until the end of the 1930s, right before the outbreak of the Second World War.

How large is the cemetery today? Following its 1880s expansion, the site covers 2,510 square meters, though a large portion — particularly the eastern half — was never fully developed for graves.