Jewish cemetery in Telice

The Jewish cemetery in Telice is one of the best-preserved yet most secluded remnants of Jewish heritage in the Tachov region of Bohemia, Czech Republic. It lies on the edge of a forest about 800 meters north of the village center of Telice, reached by a dirt path branching left off the road toward Milevo. The site is sometimes referred to as the Jewish cemetery in Prostiboř, since the two villages today form a single administrative unit and the cemetery served the local Jewish community regardless of which settlement its members called home.

When was the cemetery founded?

Historians generally date the cemetery's founding to the mid-18th century, with 1744 most often cited, though some sources note it was formally laid out in 1801 and enlarged in 1905. From the beginning it served as the primary burial ground not only for Telice and Prostiboř but also for the nearby village of Darmyšl and several other surrounding communities, including Nedražice, Kostelec, Horní Sedloně, Mrákov and Kladruby. This wide catchment area reflects how a single rural cemetery could serve Jewish families scattered across many small villages in an era before larger urban communities absorbed them.

What happened to the local Jewish community?

The Jewish community around Telice and Prostiboř grew mainly during the second half of the 18th century. Jewish houses clustered primarily in the northeastern part of the village, but almost none of them survive today. The synagogue burned down after a lightning strike in 1878, and the prayer house was demolished in 1945. By the end of the 19th century, Jewish families had already begun moving to larger towns, and the 1930 census recorded no remaining Jewish population in the village. As a result, the cemetery stands today as the only preserved physical trace of a Jewish community that once had deep roots in this corner of Bohemia.

What can visitors see at the cemetery today?

More than 240 legible gravestones dating from 1746 to 1937 have survived on the site, spanning almost the entire period the cemetery was in use. Alongside the tombstones, visitors can find remnants of a boundary wall and the ruins of a funeral house. The cemetery sits on the western slope of the 484-meter Bílý kámen hill, offering views toward the Český les range and the northern Šumava mountains — a scenic, quiet setting that reinforces the site's contemplative, out-of-the-way character. Because of its historical significance, the cemetery is protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Why is it worth visiting?

The Telice cemetery appeals to travelers seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path traces of Central European history. Unlike the large, restored Jewish cemeteries in Prague or Třebíč, this rural burial ground has retained a raw, natural character — moss-covered gravestones, forest silence, and an absence of tourist infrastructure give visitors the sense of uncovering a forgotten chapter of history. It is also a valuable stop for anyone researching the genealogy of Jewish families from the Tachov region, since the inscriptions on its stones span nearly two centuries of local history.

Frequently asked questions

How do you get to the cemetery? The easiest way is to reach the village of Telice by car or on foot, then follow the dirt path toward Milevo; the cemetery lies about 800 meters north of the village center, at the edge of the forest.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, the site can be visited independently, though given its nature as a historic burial ground, visitors should treat the gravestones and grounds with respect.

Are there other Jewish landmarks in Telice? No — the synagogue burned down in 1878 and the prayer house was demolished in 1945, so the cemetery is the only surviving testament to the area's Jewish community.