Jewish Cemetery in Kynšperk nad Ohří

The Jewish cemetery in Kynšperk nad Ohří is one of the oldest Jewish burial sites in Bohemia, carved in dramatic terraces into a steep hillside. Its unusual layout and centuries-old gravestones make it a compelling stop for anyone interested in the layered, often difficult history of the Sokolov region in western Bohemia.

How old is the cemetery?

Local tradition traces the cemetery's origins back to the 14th century, with legend suggesting that victims of the 1350 Cheb pogrom may have been buried here. While this early episode belongs to oral tradition rather than documented fact, the first confirmed written records of the cemetery date from the early 17th century, and the oldest surviving gravestones are dated 1605. The site was expanded in 1814, a sign of the growing local Jewish community at the time.

What does the cemetery look like?

The cemetery's most distinctive feature is its division into two sections by the remains of a massive medieval town rampart. The older, lower section holds medieval and Baroque-era gravestones — simple, flat steles bearing Hebrew and Czech inscriptions. The newer section climbs the steep slope above, where individual graves are arranged in cascading terraces supported by brick structures built to fit the difficult terrain. Today, more than 100 gravestones survive across roughly 3,360 square meters, spanning from the 18th to the 20th century, though some stones have shifted from their original positions and a portion have toppled or been damaged over time.

What happened to the local Jewish community?

The Jewish community of Kynšperk nad Ohří (known in German as Königsberg an der Eger) reached its peak in the mid-19th century, numbering 162 residents in 1859. In the following decades the population steadily declined as families moved to larger towns in search of better economic opportunities. By 1930 only 27 Jewish residents remained, although the town's synagogue continued to operate until that year.

What happened to the cemetery during the war?

The cemetery's fate mirrors the broader tragedy of the Czech borderlands under Nazi rule. In October 1938, after the Sokolov region came under German control following the annexation of the Sudetenland, members of the NSDAP severely vandalized the site. Despite this, burials continued here even after the war — the last recorded interment took place in 1949, that of the academic painter Fritz Lederer, a native of Kynšperk.

Can visitors tour the cemetery today?

For decades the cemetery suffered from neglect and repeated vandalism, but between 2005 and 2006 it underwent a thorough restoration. The surrounding wall was rebuilt, a new wrought-iron gate was installed, and the internal paths were repaired, after which the site was opened to the public. The land is currently owned and maintained by the Jewish community of Plzeň. Listed as a Czech cultural monument, the cemetery sits on a wooded hillside within the town and has no prominent signage, so visitors are best off arriving with a map or local guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many gravestones remain at the cemetery? More than 100 gravestones survive across an area of over 3,300 square meters, dating from the early 18th to the mid-20th century.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, following the 2005–2006 restoration the site has been open to the public.

Who maintains the cemetery today? It is owned and cared for by the Jewish community of Plzeň.