Městský hřbitov Nový Jičín

The Municipal Cemetery in Nový Jičín is the town's main burial ground, established in 1890 on a rise above the Křivý potok stream, on what was then the edge of Nový Jičín. It replaced a series of much older burial sites that had existed in the town centre since the Middle Ages – first around the parish church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, later at the filial church of the Holy Trinity, and finally at a chapel known locally as the "Spanish" chapel. By the end of the 19th century all these older cemeteries had been closed, mainly for sanitary reasons and lack of capacity, prompting the town council to designate a single, spacious central cemetery outside the built-up area.

What does the cemetery look like today?

The entrance to the grounds is marked by a neoclassical gate, typical of cemeteries laid out during this period across the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. A mortuary and a ceremonial hall were built next to the gate and still serve their original purpose today. The cemetery lies close to the town's Jewish cemetery, a layout common to many towns in the Moravian-Silesian region from that era.

Along the surrounding walls stands a row of tombs belonging to some of the most influential families and figures of old Nový Jičín. Among those buried here are members of the Hückel hat-making family, the manufacturer Preisenhammer, the pharmacist Karel Stiborský of the house "At the White Angel," former mayor and manufacturer Ferdinand Czeiczner, and painter and illustrator František Bohumil Doubek. Soldiers and legionnaires who died in both world wars are also buried in the cemetery.

What is worth seeing at the cemetery?

The gravestones and tombs represent a range of architectural styles, from neo-Gothic to neo-Baroque, decorated with sculptures, reliefs and ornamentation typical of funerary art from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The town runs an ongoing restoration programme for honorary graves – 18 are currently listed, with the first conservation work starting in 2020. An interactive map of the cemetery has also been created to help visitors locate the graves of the most notable figures connected with the town's history.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery in Nový Jičín established? The current municipal cemetery opened in 1890, replacing earlier, smaller burial sites in the town centre that had become insufficient.

Who is buried at the cemetery? Notable burials include members of the Hückel family, local manufacturers, former mayor Ferdinand Czeiczner, painter František Bohumil Doubek, and soldiers who fell in both world wars.

Is the cemetery located near any other burial grounds? Yes, the town's Jewish cemetery lies directly adjacent to it.

Can the cemetery be explored with a guide or map? Yes, the town provides an interactive map showing the graves of notable personalities and the most interesting historic monuments.