Jewish cemetery in Lomnička

The Jewish cemetery in Lomnička is a small, secluded burial ground near Plesná in the Cheb district of the Czech Republic, tucked between fields and forest. It is not visible from the main road — reaching it requires following a sunken path and then a field track marked with yellow trail signs, leading toward the woods. Despite its modest size, the cemetery is one of the more telling remnants of a Jewish presence in the Cheb region that has otherwise almost entirely faded from memory.

How did the cemetery in Lomnička come to be?

Jews settled in Lomnička in 1793, establishing a religious community and a Jewish school. The cemetery itself was founded in 1822, together with a prayer house, and from the start served a wider area than just the village itself — it was used by Jewish communities from Lomnička, Luby, Lesná, Skalná, Kraslice, Nový Kostel, and Starý Rybník. This regional role suggests it was one of the more significant Jewish burial sites in this part of the Czech-German borderland.

What happened to the local Jewish community?

The Jewish religious community in Lomnička was dissolved in 1895, and by 1901 the last Jewish resident had left the village. A community that had shaped local life for over a century essentially vanished at the turn of the 20th century — notably before the Holocaust, which devastated most comparable communities elsewhere in the region.

What does the cemetery look like today?

Most of the gravestones remain in relatively decent condition, though a number of them, especially near the edges of the site, are broken or badly weathered. The cemetery was originally enclosed by a stone wall, of which only scattered fragments survive today. Many of the matzevot (gravestones) bear inscriptions on both sides, though some have become illegible due to erosion. The youngest identified grave dates to 1924 and belongs to Jacob Schneider of Nový Kostel — created long after the community had formally ceased to exist, which shows that former residents of the region continued to regard this place as their family burial ground.

Is it worth visiting?

Small pebbles left on the graves are still visible today — a Jewish tradition marking remembrance and respect for the deceased, and evidence that despite its isolation, the site has not been entirely forgotten. The cemetery is also part of an educational trail dedicated to the Jewish heritage of the Lomnička area, which helps visitors understand the historical context of the site.

Access by car is possible (for vehicles under 6 tons), but arriving on foot is a better option — from the bus stop in Lomnička, a yellow-marked trail leads on a gentle climb across the fields and then toward the forest where the cemetery lies hidden.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? About 2.5 km from Plesná, by the forest near the village of Lomnička, in the Cheb district.

When was the cemetery founded? In 1822, together with the prayer house of the local Jewish community.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, a marked yellow hiking trail leads to it, although the approach involves some walking across open fields and a gentle uphill stretch.

Whom did the cemetery serve? It functioned as a regional burial ground for Jewish communities from Lomnička, Luby, Lesná, Skalná, Kraslice, Nový Kostel, and Starý Rybník.

What condition are the gravestones in? Most are in relatively good condition, though some, particularly at the edges of the site, are damaged or illegible.