Jewish cemetery in Polná

The Jewish cemetery in Polná ranks among the most remarkable examples of Jewish funerary heritage in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands. Set on a slope above the Ochozský stream, away from the town's bustle, it has been carefully tended by local volunteers for decades and survives today in an almost complete state.

How to get there

The cemetery lies roughly 700 meters northwest of Husovo náměstí, Polná's central square, in the district known as Dolní Město (Lower Town), at a spot called Pod Kalvárií. The easiest way to reach Polná is by car from Jihlava, some fifteen kilometers away, or via the roads from Hlinsko or Přibyslav. From the main square, a short walk of about fifteen minutes through the town's quiet historic quarter brings you to the site.

History of the site

Jewish families first settled in Polná as early as the 16th century, and written sources date the founding of the cemetery to 1597, although some accounts suggest the ground may have been used even earlier. Until the second half of the 17th century, several Jewish families lived nearby along Dolní Street before a proper ghetto was formally established in the town.

The burial ground was expanded several times during the 18th and 19th centuries as the local Jewish community grew. In 1887, a ceremonial hall serving as a mortuary and gathering place for funeral rites was built against the eastern wall of the cemetery. The stone wall enclosing the grounds has been repaired and extended repeatedly since then, with the most recent major restoration carried out in the 1990s.

Although no Jewish congregation was reestablished in Polná after the Holocaust, both the synagogue and the cemetery survived, standing today as a testament to centuries of Jewish presence in the town.

What you'll see

Spread across roughly 3,540 square meters, the cemetery holds close to 1,300 tombstones — Baroque, Classicist, and modern — arranged in 32 irregular rows. The oldest surviving gravestones date from the late 17th century, with the earliest dated to 1683, while the most recent burials predate 1940. Older tombstones cluster in the northern part of the grounds, offering visitors a chance to trace the evolution of local funerary art across more than three centuries.

The site's intimate, picturesque setting is part of its appeal: weathered, tilted stones stand among trees on a slope descending toward the stream valley, far from the noise of the town center. This makes the cemetery a draw not only for those interested in Czech Jewish history, but also for visitors seeking a quiet, reflective place to walk.

Preservation efforts

Since 1988 the cemetery has been maintained by local volunteers, joined since 1996 by the Association for the Rescue of Jewish Monuments. Their work keeps the grounds regularly cleared and the tombstones protected from further deterioration. The cemetery is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, giving it formal legal protection.

When to visit

Spring and summer are the best times to visit, when the surrounding greenery and longer days make for a pleasant walk through the grounds. Autumn brings fewer visitors and a correspondingly quieter, more contemplative atmosphere. Consider combining a visit to the cemetery with a stop at Polná's nearby synagogue and its historic town center, also known for the notorious Hilsner affair.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Jewish cemetery in Polná founded? Written sources date its founding to 1597, though Jewish settlement in the area goes back to the early 16th century.

How many tombstones are on the site? The roughly 3,540 square meter grounds hold close to 1,300 tombstones arranged in 32 irregular rows, the oldest dated 1683.

Who maintains the cemetery today? Local volunteers have cared for the site since 1988, joined since 1996 by the Association for the Rescue of Jewish Monuments.

Is the cemetery legally protected? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.