New Jewish cemetery in Plzeň

The New Jewish Cemetery in Plzeň was established in 1898, when the city's older Jewish cemetery could no longer accommodate the growing community. The site sits on Rokycanská Avenue, directly opposite the Central Cemetery, about 4 kilometres east of Plzeň's main square.

Who designed the cemetery and what did it originally look like?

The layout was created under the direction of architect Josef Farkač. The only building on the grounds was a small ceremonial hall, standing alongside a caretaker's house. Both structures were demolished less than ten years after the cemetery opened, to make way for the widening of a nearby road. A chapel also stood on the site at one point, but it was torn down before 1990, during a period when the Jewish community had little real control over the property.

How many graves are on the site?

The cemetery holds roughly 2,000 graves, arranged in orderly rows. It has survived in noticeably better condition than many other Jewish cemeteries in the region, partly because burials here have continued without interruption since it first opened.

What memorials stand among the graves?

Along the northern wall stands a black granite memorial dedicated to more than 3,000 Holocaust victims from Plzeň and the surrounding area. Nearby is a smaller memorial commemorating 18 victims of a 1945 death march. Both sites are visited regularly, especially around anniversaries connected to the history of Plzeň's Jewish community.

What happened to the cemetery after World War II?

For decades after the war and through the communist era, the cemetery remained outside the direct control of the Jewish community, which contributed to the loss of some of its structures, including the chapel demolished before 1990. That changed in 2000, when the Jewish community formally regained ownership of the grounds. Since then, the site has been properly maintained and continues to function as an active cemetery.

Are burials still taking place there?

Yes, the New Jewish Cemetery in Plzeň remains active, with burials continuing to this day — making it one of the few cemeteries of its kind in the region that has served its original purpose without interruption for more than 120 years.

Frequently asked questions

When was the New Jewish Cemetery in Plzeň founded? In 1898, after the city's older Jewish cemetery could no longer meet the community's needs.

Where exactly is the cemetery located? On Rokycanská Avenue, opposite the Central Cemetery, a few kilometres east of downtown Plzeň.

How many graves does the cemetery contain? Around 2,000 graves.

What memorials can visitors see there? A black granite memorial for more than 3,000 Holocaust victims from Plzeň, and a smaller memorial for 18 victims of a 1945 death march.

Is the cemetery still in use? Yes, burials still take place there, and since 2000 the site has formally belonged to the Jewish community again.