Jewish cemetery in Malešov

The Jewish cemetery in Malešov is one of the best-preserved Jewish burial grounds in the Kutná Hora region, located on the southwestern edge of the small town of Malešov. It has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic since 1958, reflecting its historical and artistic significance.

When was the cemetery established?

The burial ground was founded in the 18th century and served the local Jewish community for more than two hundred years. Its last expansion took place in the second half of the 19th century, as the number of burials grew alongside the development of the Jewish community in nearby Kutná Hora. From that period until the outbreak of World War II, the cemetery functioned as the main burial site for Jews living in Kutná Hora, located just a few kilometers away.

Until when were burials carried out here?

Burials continued at this cemetery until 1956. The last person interred here was Josefina Oheimová, daughter of the last chairman of the Jewish religious community in Kutná Hora — a fact that symbolically closes the chapter of the region's Jewish community, nearly destroyed during the Holocaust.

What can visitors see on site?

Across an area of roughly 3,540 square meters, around 210 tombstones have survived. The oldest legible gravestones date back to the mid-18th century. The stones are made of marble, limestone, sandstone and granite, representing Baroque and Classical styles — making them a valuable example of Jewish funerary art in the Czech lands. At the entrance to the cemetery stands a stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments, brought here from a synagogue in nearby Malín.

Who takes care of the cemetery today?

The site is enclosed by a stone wall, kept locked, and well maintained. Since 1995, the cemetery has been cared for by the Jewish Community of Prague, which carries out ongoing restoration and conservation work. Thanks to this care, the site has retained its authentic character and remains an important testimony to the centuries-long presence of a Jewish community in the Kutná Hora region.

Why is this place worth visiting?

The cemetery in Malešov is not only a burial site but also a valuable historical and artistic monument, offering insight into the fate of the Jewish community of the Kutná Hora region over two centuries. Its quiet, well-kept grounds with preserved historic tombstones make it a meaningful reference point for anyone interested in Jewish history in the Czech Republic, and its proximity to Kutná Hora — a UNESCO World Heritage town — makes it easy to include in a regional sightseeing itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Is the cemetery open to visitors? The site is kept locked but maintained — access is best arranged in advance, for example through the Jewish Community of Prague, which oversees it.

How many tombstones have survived to this day? About 210 tombstones remain, with the oldest dating back to the mid-18th century.

When was the last burial held here? The last burial took place in 1956, when Josefina Oheimová was interred.