Jewish cemetery, Přerov

The Jewish cemetery in Přerov preserves several centuries of local Jewish history in this Moravian town. The site actually comprises two burial grounds — an older one, now closed, and a newer cemetery that still stands today as a protected cultural monument.

How old is the Jewish community of Přerov?

Jewish presence in Přerov is documented as far back as 1339, making it one of the older Jewish communities in Moravia. Its history was far from peaceful: the town's Jewish quarter was destroyed in 1642, and pogroms struck the community again in 1774 and 1850. Despite these setbacks, the community re-established itself and operated as an independent political municipality between 1880 and 1919. Around the turn of the 20th century it numbered several hundred people — about 717 in 1900 — a figure that had fallen to 267 by 1930, reflecting the broader migration and assimilation trends of the era.

What did the old cemetery look like?

The first Jewish cemetery in Přerov was established in 1585 on what is now Wurmova Street. It had an irregular, triangular layout and was enclosed by a stone-and-brick wall, with the entrance set into the southwestern side facing the street. A building serving as a mortuary stood in the northwestern corner of the grounds. The cemetery served the community for more than three centuries until the available space ran out, with burials ending around 1888.

Why was a new cemetery built?

As the old cemetery filled up, the community established a new burial ground in 1882, located about 1.2 kilometers southeast of the town center, in the southern part of Přerov. This newer cemetery is the one still in existence today. In 1903, a ceremonial hall with an attached caretaker's apartment was built on the grounds — a feature typical of larger Central European Jewish cemeteries of the period, combining ritual functions with the everyday running of the site.

The old cemetery on Wurmova Street met its end after the Second World War. Between 1945 and 1956 it was gradually closed and dismantled, and a portion of the surviving tombstones were relocated to the new cemetery, where they can still be seen today as evidence of the community's earliest history.

Why is this site worth visiting?

The new Jewish cemetery in Přerov is today a legally protected cultural monument in the Czech Republic. It offers a tangible record of the Jewish community of the Olomouc region, spanning from the early modern period through the tragic upheavals of the 20th century. The surviving tombstones — including those relocated from the older site — together with the early-20th-century ceremonial hall, form a coherent memorial landscape. It is not a mass-tourism destination, but it holds real value for anyone interested in the history of Jewish life in Moravia.

When is the best time to visit?

As an open-air site, the cemetery is best visited in spring or autumn, when the weather is comfortable for walking and vegetation does not obscure access to individual sections. Keep in mind that this remains an active place of religious significance connected to burial, so a visit should be planned respectfully — it's worth checking current opening times and visiting rules before arriving.

Frequently asked questions

How far back does the Jewish community of Přerov go? The first records of Jews in the town date to 1339, though the community repeatedly suffered destruction and pogroms in the centuries that followed.

What is the difference between the old and new Jewish cemeteries in Přerov? The old cemetery on Wurmova Street operated from 1585 until around 1888, while the new cemetery, founded in 1882 and still standing today, lies about 1.2 km southeast of the town center.

What happened to the old cemetery? Between 1945 and 1956 it was gradually dismantled, and some of its tombstones were moved to the new cemetery.

Is the cemetery legally protected? Yes, the new Jewish cemetery in Přerov holds the status of a protected cultural monument in the Czech Republic.