Městský hřbitov Český Krumlov

Městský hřbitov Český Krumlov (the Municipal Cemetery of Český Krumlov) is the town's main public burial ground, established after 1890 on the eastern edge of Český Krumlov, along Hřbitovní street. It was created to meet the growing needs of the town's residents after the older burial sites at the parish Church of St. Vitus and the Chapel of St. Martin could no longer accommodate them. The cemetery at St. Martin was closed in 1892, and its grounds were later merged into the town park, which cemented the new cemetery's role as the sole active burial site in Český Krumlov.

What does the cemetery look like today?

A defining feature of the site is its eclectic funeral chapel, dating from the period when the cemetery was founded at the end of the 19th century. The building combines stylistic elements typical of historicist architecture and has served for decades as the venue for funeral ceremonies of local residents. The layout of paths and burial sections follows the pattern common to Central European municipal cemeteries from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, with rows of family graves and older tombstones of historical value.

Right next to it, on the same Hřbitovní street, lies the Jewish cemetery, founded in 1891, which has its own eclectic funeral hall with a preserved reading stand. The proximity of the two cemeteries reflects the town's multicultural history, in which the Jewish community played a significant economic and social role before the Second World War.

Has the funeral chapel been renovated?

Yes. The ceremonial hall at the Municipal Cemetery in Český Krumlov underwent an extensive renovation in 2021, after years in which its technical and aesthetic condition had been considered unsatisfactory. The work included repairing the walls and ceiling, which were lowered and insulated, replacing the electrical wiring, adjusting the heating system, and building a barrier-free ramp together with a retaining wall at the entrance. As a result, the building became accessible to visitors with limited mobility as well.

The interior was also fitted with new audiovisual equipment, including a projector for displaying photos and videos during ceremonies, along with the capability to livestream funeral services. Because of the works, some burials during that period had to take place elsewhere.

Why is it worth knowing about when visiting the town?

The municipal cemetery is not a typical tourist attraction in the sense of the historic town center's monuments, but it is a meaningful part of Český Krumlov's cultural landscape. For anyone interested in local history, funerary architecture, or genealogy, the cemetery grounds offer insight into the town's development over the past 130-plus years. Its proximity to the Jewish cemetery also makes it a natural starting point for reflecting on the region's multi-faith past.

The cemetery's geographic coordinates are 48.8149686, 14.3262083 — it lies within walking distance of the historic town center, at its eastern edge.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Městský hřbitov located in Český Krumlov? On the eastern edge of the town, along Hřbitovní street, directly adjacent to the Jewish cemetery.

When was this cemetery established? After 1890, succeeding the earlier burial grounds at the Church of St. Vitus and the Chapel of St. Martin.

Does the cemetery have a chapel? Yes, an eclectic funeral chapel from the late 19th century, renovated in 2021 and equipped with modern audiovisual technology and barrier-free access.

Is it a tourist attraction? It is primarily an active municipal cemetery, but for visitors interested in the town's history and funerary architecture, it is a worthwhile place to see.