Jewish cemetery in Vlachovo Březí

The Jewish cemetery in Vlachovo Březí is one of only three preserved Jewish cemeteries in the Prachatice district, in the South Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. It sits on the northern edge of the town and is freely accessible to visitors year-round.

When was the cemetery established?

The burial ground was founded before 1692, making it one of the older Jewish cemeteries in the Prachatice area. Its oldest legible tombstone dates from 1729, and the last recorded burial took place in 1932 — meaning the site served the local Jewish community for more than two centuries.

What happened to the local Jewish community?

The independent Jewish religious community in Vlachovo Březí ceased to exist on June 30, 1893, following a reorganization of Jewish religious communities at the time. From that point until the wartime occupation, the cemetery was maintained by the Jewish community of nearby Volyně, which helped keep the site in relatively good condition even without a resident, organized community of its own.

How large is the cemetery and how many tombstones survive?

The cemetery covers an area of 1,378 square meters. Around 170 tombstones have survived, meaning the burial ground is roughly half full relative to its capacity. Most of the surviving tombstones are in the Baroque and Classical styles typical of rural Jewish cemeteries in the region during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Is the cemetery protected today?

Yes — in 1963 the site was declared a cultural monument, granting it formal legal protection. Combined with the historical care provided by the Volyně community, this status has allowed the cemetery to survive to the present day as a record of the long-standing Jewish presence in the Prachatice area.

Frequently asked questions

Can the cemetery be visited? Yes, it is freely accessible, with no set visiting hours or admission fee.

How many tombstones have survived? Around 170 tombstones remain, mostly in the Baroque and Classical styles.

When was the last burial held here? The last known burial at this cemetery took place in 1932.

Why did the Jewish community in Vlachovo Březí disappear as early as the 19th century? The independent religious community was dissolved on June 30, 1893, as part of a broader reorganization of Jewish communities in the region, after which the cemetery was cared for by the community in nearby Volyně.

Is the cemetery a protected monument? Yes, it has held the status of a cultural monument since 1963.