Lutheran cemetery in Těrlicko

The Lutheran cemetery in Těrlicko (Horní Těrlicko) is a small but historically notable evangelical burial ground in the Karviná district, in the Czech part of Cieszyn Silesia. It covers roughly 3,200 m² and sits near a dam, not far from the I/11 highway leading to Český Těšín.

When was the cemetery established?

The cemetery was founded in 1857 on land donated by Bernard Baron. Establishing a separate Lutheran burial ground reflected the strong Protestant presence in Cieszyn Silesia, where evangelical communities had long maintained their own places of worship and burial, distinct from Catholic parishes.

What makes the cemetery chapel notable?

The centerpiece of the site is the cemetery chapel, built between 1860 and 1862. It is a single-nave brick structure closed by a semicircular apse, topped with a distinctive prism-shaped tower crowned by an onion dome and a cross. This combination of a plain, functional nave with an ornamental tower was typical of Protestant religious buildings in the region during the second half of the 19th century. Since 2006 the chapel has been protected as a cultural monument, confirming its historical and architectural value for local heritage.

What happened to the bells?

The story of the chapel's bells reflects the turbulent history of the region in the 20th century. In 1867, three bells were hung in the tower, but they were requisitioned during the First World War — a fate shared by many church bells across Central Europe, melted down to support the war effort. In 1919, under the newly independent Czechoslovakia, three iron bells were installed in their place. These were later relocated in 1995 to a newly built tower of the evangelical church in Těrlicko, meaning the cemetery chapel itself has stood without bells since then, even as it retains its original form and character.

Who is buried here?

Among those buried in the Horní Těrlicko cemetery is Alfréd Bolek, a professor at the Czech Technical University, and his wife Erna Grünfeldová, a pianist. Their graves indicate that the cemetery served not only the local rural community but also individuals connected to the world of academia and culture.

Why is this place worth visiting?

The Lutheran cemetery in Těrlicko is an example of a modest yet well-preserved burial site that combines the architectural value of its chapel with a layered history spanning the Austro-Hungarian era, the interwar period, and the present day. For anyone interested in the history of Protestantism in Cieszyn Silesia or in 19th-century religious architecture, it offers a lesser-known but rewarding stop, easily combined with a visit to the nearby Těrlicko reservoir.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Lutheran cemetery in Těrlicko founded? It was founded in 1857 on land donated by Bernard Baron.

What is the most valuable feature of the cemetery? The brick cemetery chapel built between 1860 and 1862, with a tower topped by an onion dome, protected as a cultural monument since 2006.

Where are the historical bells now? The bells installed in 1919 were moved in 1995 to the new tower of the evangelical church in Těrlicko.

Who is buried at this cemetery? Notable burials include Czech Technical University professor Alfréd Bolek and his wife, pianist Erna Grünfeldová.