Jewish cemetery in Nové Strašecí

The Jewish cemetery in Nové Strašecí is a small, still-preserved burial ground that testifies to the presence of a Jewish community in this Central Bohemian town dating back to the early 17th century. While Nové Strašecí today is best known for its town square and surrounding burgher houses, just outside the historic core lies a site that served as the final resting place for the town's Jewish residents for well over a century.

Where did this cemetery come from?

The earlier, older Jewish cemetery in Nové Strašecí was first documented in 1724 and stood outside the town walls, in the western part of town near the so-called Rakovník Gate. As the town grew and construction closed in around the center during the 19th century, the old cemetery ran into a real problem: it became hemmed in by surrounding buildings, leaving no room for expansion. The Jewish community responded by establishing a new burial site.

The new cemetery was founded in 1835, south of the town's municipal cemetery — a location that avoided the space constraints that had plagued the older site. It is this cemetery, established in the first half of the 19th century, that has survived to the present day and can still be visited.

What can visitors see on site?

The oldest surviving tombstones in the cemetery date from 1859, even though the cemetery itself was founded several decades earlier — earlier gravestones either did not survive or have not been identified. The grounds are enclosed by a wall, and the entrance gate has been restored, as has the surrounding wall itself.

The last burial here took place around 1950, a date that reflects the dramatic fate of the local Jewish community — its numbers collapsed after World War II and the Holocaust, and organized Jewish life in Nové Strašecí effectively came to an end in the following decades.

Can the cemetery be visited?

The cemetery is now kept permanently locked and remains under care — the grounds are maintained, and elements of its infrastructure, such as the wall and gate, have undergone conservation repairs. Visits are possible by prior arrangement with the caretaker, except on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, when access is not granted for religious reasons.

Visitors should keep in mind that the usual rules of respect for Jewish cemeteries apply here as well, including the restriction on visiting during the days mentioned and the expectation of quiet, respectful behavior on the grounds.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just show up without arranging a visit in advance? No — the cemetery is locked, and entry requires prior arrangement with the caretaker.

How old is the cemetery? The cemetery that survives today was founded in 1835, though the Jewish presence in the town, and an earlier cemetery, date back to the early 17th century and 1724 respectively.

Why was a new cemetery established in the 19th century? Because the older cemetery, located closer to the town center, had become surrounded by buildings and could no longer be expanded.

When was the last burial? Around 1950, reflecting the near-total disappearance of the local Jewish community after the Holocaust.

Are there other Jewish heritage sites in town? Yes, Nové Strašecí also has a preserved former synagogue, a further trace of what was once an active Jewish community in the town.