New Jewish cemetery in Rožmberk nad Vltavou

The New Jewish cemetery in Rožmberk nad Vltavou is a small, quiet burial ground located along the road running on the left bank of the Vltava River toward Český Krumlov. It was established in 1883, when the local Jewish community decided to create a new burial site to replace the older "old" Jewish cemetery in Rožmberk, which had served the community for decades before that. Covering less than 2,300 square meters, it is far from being one of the region's largest Jewish cemeteries, yet its story reflects the fate of one of southern Bohemia's smaller but active Jewish communities.

Why was a new cemetery needed?

By the late 19th century, the existing cemetery in Rožmberk could no longer accommodate the growing needs of the local Jewish community, and its condition and location prompted community leaders to designate a new burial site. The new cemetery was built closer to the route connecting Rožmberk with Český Krumlov, making it more accessible to residents of the surrounding villages belonging to the same religious community.

How many gravestones remain today?

Around a hundred tombstones are still visible on the site, some well preserved, others heavily weathered by time and the elements. The inscriptions, mostly in Hebrew, record the names of families tied to the local Jewish community that lived in the Rožmberk area and nearby villages until the mid-20th century.

What happened to the cemetery in later decades?

After regular burials ceased, the site went for many years without systematic care. The situation was especially poor up until the 1990s, when the grounds became heavily overgrown with thick bushes and the surrounding wall fell into progressive disrepair. Change only began toward the end of the century, as local initiatives started paying closer attention to the condition of neglected Jewish heritage sites across the South Bohemian region.

What did the restoration work involve?

Between 2003 and 2004, the site underwent a thorough clearing of vegetation along with partial repair of the damaged perimeter wall. A few years later, in 2007, restoration crews re-erected fallen tombstones, partially restoring their original layout and legibility. Thanks to this work, the cemetery has survived to the present day in a condition that allows visitors to explore it and reflect on the history of the local community.

Can it be visited today?

Yes, the cemetery is freely accessible to visitors and forms part of the local cultural heritage of the Český Krumlov region. It is not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense — there is no visitor infrastructure or marked trails — but for anyone interested in the Jewish history of southern Bohemia, it stands as an authentic testimony to the presence of this community on Rožmberk soil.

Frequently asked questions

When was the New Jewish cemetery in Rožmberk nad Vltavou founded? In 1883, as a successor to the same community's older cemetery.

How many gravestones have survived? About a hundred tombstones remain visible, in varying states of preservation.

Where exactly is the cemetery located? Along the road on the left bank of the Vltava River, between Rožmberk nad Vltavou and Český Krumlov.

Has the cemetery been restored? Yes — clearing and wall repairs took place in 2003–2004, and fallen tombstones were re-erected in 2007.

Is the site open to the public? Yes, it can be visited freely, though it remains a modest site without typical tourist facilities.