Jewish cemetery in Slavkov u Brna

The Jewish cemetery in Slavkov u Brna preserves the memory of one of Moravia's oldest and most significant Jewish communities. While the town itself — known internationally under its German name Austerlitz — is famous for Napoleon's 1805 battle, just north of its center lies a quieter site telling a different story: centuries of Jewish settlement, community life, and eventual destruction.

How old is the Jewish presence in Slavkov?

Records of a Jewish community in Slavkov u Brna stretch back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest and most important Jewish settlements in Moravia. Over time a distinct Jewish quarter formed near the town's commandery, and the coexistence of the Christian and Jewish populations helped build a thriving local economy — strong enough that King Wenceslaus IV granted the settlement town status in 1416.

Why did the community need a third cemetery?

The cemetery visitors see today was founded in 1744, but it was actually the third burial ground used by the local Jewish community. The earlier one stood south of the town near the Litava stream. When that site was retired, its oldest and most valuable tombstones — dating from 1735 and 1736 — were relocated to the new cemetery, where they remain the oldest markers on site today.

What survives on the grounds today?

Spread across roughly 4,045 square meters and enclosed by a stone-and-brick wall, the cemetery holds between 300 and 350 surviving tombstones. Among those buried here are several learned rabbis who once served Slavkov's once-renowned Jewish community. The gravestones reflect changing burial customs and the stonemasonry styles typical of Moravian Jewish cemeteries across the centuries.

What happened to the Jewish community of Slavkov?

The Jewish community of Slavkov u Brna ceased to exist around 1940, its centuries-long presence abruptly ended by the Nazi occupation and the Holocaust. As in many other Moravian towns, the local Jewish population was deported, bringing a medieval-era community to a violent close. In 1994, a memorial to the displaced and murdered community was unveiled in the middle of the cemetery grounds.

Who takes care of the cemetery now?

Since around 1997, the site has been owned and maintained by the Jewish Community of Brno, which carried out its restoration. The cemetery is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, giving it formal legal protection and support for its upkeep.

How do you get to the cemetery?

The cemetery lies about 1.5 kilometers north of Komenského Square, Slavkov's main square, reached along Tyršova Street toward the road leading to Rousínov, set in a bend of the road.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current Jewish cemetery in Slavkov u Brna established? In 1744, as the third burial site used by the local Jewish community.

How many tombstones remain? Between 300 and 350, including the oldest ones from 1735–1736, moved here from the earlier cemetery by the Litava stream.

Is there a memorial on site? Yes, a memorial to the Holocaust victims and the displaced Jewish community was unveiled in the cemetery's center in 1994.

Who manages the cemetery today? The Jewish Community of Brno has owned and maintained it since around 1997.