New Cemetery in Tábor

The New Cemetery in Tábor (Czech: Nový hřbitov v Táboře) is the town's main municipal burial ground, laid out on the southern edge of Tábor along Nad Sládečkem street, near the site of the former independent village of Měšice, long since absorbed into the town. It functions as both an active cemetery and, in effect, a quiet record of the town's more recent history — ordinary residents rest here alongside figures who left a mark on Czech history.

When was the cemetery founded, and why here?

The cemetery was established in 1921 on a large plot that lay outside the town's boundaries at the time. It was created to replace the old parish burial ground next to the Baroque-remodeled Chapel of St. Philip and St. James, which had served Tábor's residents since the end of the 14th century. As the growing town outgrew that older site, the authorities opted to open a much larger new cemetery instead. The old burial ground by the chapel lost its original function and was converted into a town park between 1969 and 1973 — today, little about the site hints at its former use.

What does the entrance and cemetery building look like?

A defining feature of the cemetery is its purist entrance gate, marked with a stucco date commemorating the year it was built, clearly visible from the street. Right beside it stands a small, single-story building that has served as the administrative office of the cemetery management since the beginning — the place where burial arrangements have traditionally been handled. In 1982, a crematorium was added to the grounds, turning the New Cemetery into a full-service burial site that continues to serve the town today.

Who is buried at the New Cemetery?

A row of graves belonging to distinguished residents of Tábor lines the walls surrounding the cemetery — a traditional place of honor in Czech cemeteries of this kind. The grounds also hold the graves of soldiers and legionnaires who fought in both world wars. Among the historical figures buried here is Brigadier General Karel Mareš (1898–1960), a military pilot who served as the first commander of the 311th Czechoslovak Squadron of the RAF, which fought alongside the British during the Second World War. Also resting here is Jiří Hrzán (1939–1980), a well-known Czech film and theater actor, along with academic sculptor J. Štainochr.

What changed after the Second World War?

The postwar expulsion of the German population from Czechoslovakia left its mark on the New Cemetery as well. Many graves belonging to German families who were forced to leave the town in the late 1940s were left untended, with no relatives remaining to visit or maintain them. These abandoned plots stand today as a quiet reminder of the abrupt demographic upheaval the region underwent after the war.

Why is it worth a visit?

The New Cemetery in Tábor is not a conventional tourist attraction, but for anyone interested in the town's and the region's history, it is a worthwhile stop. The combination of its century-old entrance architecture, the graves of military figures, traces of the postwar population shifts, and the calm, well-kept layout of its paths offers a fuller picture of Tábor than the old town square and its landmarks alone. It presents the town's history from a quieter, more personal angle.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the New Cemetery in Tábor located? On the southern edge of the town, along Nad Sládečkem street, near the site of the former village of Měšice.

When was the cemetery founded? In 1921, as a replacement for the old parish cemetery by the Chapel of St. Philip and St. James, which had been in use since the end of the 14th century.

Who notable is buried at this cemetery? Among others, General Karel Mareš, first commander of the 311th Czechoslovak Squadron of the RAF, actor Jiří Hrzán, and sculptor J. Štainochr.

Does the cemetery have a crematorium? Yes, one was added in 1982.