Jewish Cemetery Podbřezí

The Jewish Cemetery in Podbřezí is one of the most atmospheric burial grounds in eastern Bohemia — a forest cemetery tucked among trees on the bank of the Dědina River, in the village of Podbřezí in the Rychnov nad Kněžnou district, Hradec Králové Region. The municipality also includes the settlements of Lhota, Netřeba, Škutina, and parts of Chábor, Studánka, and Přímy, which is why the site is sometimes referenced together with the nearby hamlet of Lhota Netřeba.

Where exactly is the cemetery located?

The burial ground lies about 300 metres northeast of the village centre, on the right bank of the Dědina. The land was donated to the local Jewish community by the noble Mladota family, whose gift made it possible for the region's Jewish population to establish a dedicated place of burial here.

When was the cemetery founded?

Historians date the founding of the cemetery to around 1700. The oldest surviving tombstone is dated 1725, while the last burial took place in 1906 — meaning the site served the local Jewish community for close to two centuries. A mortuary once stood at the entrance but was demolished in 1911; today a small gate marks that spot and leads visitors into the cemetery grounds.

What does the cemetery look like today?

The cemetery has a distinctly woodland character: gravestones stand scattered among trees, many partly covered in moss, giving the site an unusually evocative, almost fairy-tale atmosphere. In the 1990s the cemetery underwent a thorough restoration — overgrown vegetation was cleared, the surrounding wall was repaired, and toppled tombstones were re-erected. The site is now freely accessible and is maintained on an ongoing basis by the Jewish Community of Prague.

Why is this place considered special?

The Podbřezí cemetery is regarded as one of the most beautiful sites of its kind in the region, not only for the number and age of its surviving gravestones but above all for its forest setting, which sets it apart from more conventional, open-air Jewish cemeteries. That very atmosphere earned the site a place in literature: Czech writer Alois Jirásek mentioned it in his novel Temno (Darkness), describing it as a picturesque and captivating spot.

How can visitors get there?

The cemetery sits in woodland just outside the village of Podbřezí, making it a natural stop for a walking or cycling trip combined with exploring the wider Rychnov nad Kněžnou area and the Orlické hory (Eagle Mountains). Entry is free and unrestricted.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors explore the cemetery on their own? Yes, the site is open to the public year-round, with access through a gate located where the former mortuary once stood.

How old is the cemetery? It was established around 1700, and its oldest surviving tombstone dates to 1725 — making it over three centuries old.

Who takes care of the cemetery today? Since its restoration in the 1990s, the site has been maintained by the Jewish Community of Prague.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes, the surrounding Rychnov nad Kněžnou and Orlické hory area offers hiking trails and additional historical sites, making it easy to combine a visit here with a longer day trip.

Why does the cemetery appear in literature? Its picturesque, forested character inspired writer Alois Jirásek, who referenced it in his novel Temno as a particularly charming and memorable place.