Jewish cemetery in Nečtiny

Jewish Cemetery in Nečtiny – A Forgotten Resting Place on a Forested Hillside

The Jewish Cemetery in Nečtiny is a small burial ground set on a wooded slope near the village of Nečtiny, in the Plzeň Region within the area known as Postřelí. The cemetery was established in the second half of the 17th century and served the local Jewish community for generations. During the 18th century, its importance grew beyond the immediate area, as it became the burial site for Jews from more distant settlements, including Štědrá, Žlutice, and Močidlce — a clear sign that Nečtiny functioned as a regional hub for Jewish burials in this part of Bohemia.

Where is the cemetery located?

The burial ground lies on a forested hillside at some distance from the built-up center of Nečtiny, within the Plzeň-sever (Plzeň-North) district. One of the site's distinctive features is its division into an older and a newer section, separated by a forest path that cuts through the cemetery grounds. This layout reflects centuries of continuous use and the gradual expansion of the burial site as the community grew.

What condition is the cemetery in today?

Unfortunately, the cemetery has not survived the 20th century unscathed. It suffered severe damage during the Nazi occupation, when numerous tombstones were destroyed or removed. Further losses occurred during the communist era, when many gravestones were stolen — often repurposed as building material or sold as stone. Today, the surviving markers are largely overgrown with moss and shrubs, giving the site the appearance of a wild, reclaimed patch of forest dotted with weathered stone slabs rather than a maintained cemetery.

Are there any notable historic tombstones?

Despite the damage, careful visitors can still find tombstones of real artistic and historical value hidden among the vegetation. Among the most interesting is a stone bearing a relief of blessing hands, dated 1747 — a traditional Jewish funerary motif indicating that the deceased belonged to the Kohanim, the priestly lineage. Details like this, easily overlooked without close inspection, are reminders of the stonemasonry skill and the religious symbolism once carefully applied to individual graves.

What is the history of Nečtiny itself?

The village of Nečtiny, near which the cemetery lies, has a history stretching back to the Middle Ages — the first written record of the settlement dates to 1169. Around 1330, Oldřich Pluh, lord of the nearby Rabštejn stronghold, built a castle called Preitenstein about a kilometer south of the village, which became the seat of a small estate. Following the defeat of the Estates' Uprising in 1547, Ferdinand I had the Preitenstein castle burned down, forcing its owner Kašpar Pluh of Rabštejn to flee; the Nečtiny estate then passed to the Habsburgs. Just two years later it was acquired by Florián Gryspek of Gryspach, who built a Renaissance residence below the ruined castle. Ownership later passed to Adam Václav Kokořovec of Kokořov in the mid-17th century, who added a Baroque wing, and from 1839 to 1945 the estate belonged to the Mensdorff-Pouilly family, under whom the building was remodeled in Tudor Gothic style between 1855 and 1858. This long and layered history of the region helps explain why a Jewish community was able to establish itself here for centuries — until its presence was violently cut short by the Second World War.

Why is this site worth visiting?

The Jewish cemetery in Nečtiny is more than a local historical curiosity — it is a tangible reminder of the fate of Central European Jewish communities in the 20th century. A visit here offers insight into the scale of destruction suffered by Jewish heritage sites in the region, caused both by wartime violence and by decades of postwar neglect. For those interested in history, genealogy, or funerary art, it is an authentic, if physically demanding, place for quiet reflection — reached only by a walk through the forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Jewish cemetery in Nečtiny founded? It was established in the second half of the 17th century, and its significance grew in the 18th century when it began serving burials from nearby settlements as well.

Is the cemetery well preserved? Not particularly — it was heavily damaged during the Nazi occupation and later stripped of gravestones during the communist era. Today it is overgrown with moss and shrubs.

What is the most notable feature to look for? Surviving tombstones include one with a relief of blessing hands dated 1747, a traditional symbol marking a burial from the priestly Kohanim lineage.

How can visitors reach the cemetery? The cemetery sits on a forested slope near the village of Nečtiny in the Plzeň Region; the local municipal office can provide directions and further details.