Jewish cemetery in Zbraslavice

The Jewish cemetery in Zbraslavice is a small but historically significant burial ground located in the municipality of Zbraslavice, in the Kutná Hora District of the Central Bohemian Region, roughly 58 km southeast of Prague. It stands as one of the last physical traces of a Jewish community that shaped the town's life for centuries.

How did Jewish settlement in Zbraslavice begin?

Jewish presence in the area can be traced back to the mid-17th century. The first attempt to establish a burial site dates to 1632, at a location known as Pančava, but pressure from local nobility forced its closure. A second, short-lived cemetery operated for less than a year in 1697, above Kudláček's mill. It was only the third attempt — a "house of life," as Jewish cemeteries are traditionally called, situated near Hetlín above the Spálený mill — that endured. Its existence is confirmed by a hand-drawn map from 1766, preserved today in the archives of the Jewish Museum in Prague.

When was the current cemetery founded?

The cemetery that survives today dates from the late 18th century, with 1797 generally accepted as its founding year. The land was initially privately owned; a record from 1838 names Knight Jakob Löwenthal as its owner. Administration passed to the Jewish religious community in the 1850s, which stabilized its long-term management.

How large was the local Jewish community?

The Jewish population of Zbraslavice peaked in the mid-19th century, reaching 215 residents in 1850 — the highest figure ever recorded for the community. From that point on, numbers steadily declined: by 1930, only 19 people of Jewish origin remained in the town. Despite this decline, burials continued at the cemetery right up until shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War.

What happened to the community during the war?

The Second World War brought a tragic end to the centuries-long Jewish presence in Zbraslavice. Most of the remaining Jewish residents perished in the deportations to death camps, effectively closing this chapter of the town's history.

What does the cemetery look like today?

The cemetery was declared a cultural monument in 1958, granting it formal protection. Around 150 tombstones have survived to the present day, made predominantly of sandstone and granite. The oldest legible inscriptions date from 1815 and 1834, while the most recent burials are marked from 1932. The flat-shaped stones feature carved relief decoration, with inscriptions in Hebrew and German. No mass graves or standing structures have been recorded on the site.

The cemetery has repeatedly suffered from vandalism, particularly during the Second World War. Ownership of the site today rests with the Jewish community of Prague. Like many similar sites, it continues to face threats from weather-related erosion, pollution, and encroaching vegetation.

Who takes care of the cemetery today?

In recent years, students from the nearby town of Kolín have been involved in cleaning and conservation efforts, working in cooperation with the Jewish community of Prague. Thanks to such volunteer initiatives, this unique memorial site remains maintained and accessible to anyone interested in the history of Jewish settlement in Central Bohemia.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Jewish cemetery in Zbraslavice located? In the municipality of Zbraslavice, Kutná Hora District, Central Bohemian Region, about 58 km southeast of Prague.

When was the current cemetery established? Most likely in 1797, though earlier, unsuccessful attempts to found a cemetery date back to the 17th century.

How many tombstones have survived? Approximately 150, mainly made of sandstone and granite, dating from 1815 to 1932.

Is the cemetery legally protected? Yes, it has held the status of a cultural monument since 1958.