Old Jewish cemetery in Prague-Smíchov

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague-Smíchov is a small but atmospheric burial ground tucked into a hillside above the Radlická valley, in the Prague 5-Radlice district. It was established in 1788, when the Jewish community of Smíchov needed a new burial site after the existing cemetery in Prague's Josefov district could no longer accommodate the growing population. The opening of the Prague ghetto and the gradual movement of Jewish residents into the suburbs from around 1787 onward further pushed the community toward founding a new cemetery away from the city center.

What does the cemetery look like today?

The cemetery occupies a modest, almost square plot of 1,531 square meters. Despite its small footprint, roughly 600 tombstones have survived, of which 422 remain visible today. Visitors can trace more than 150 years of changing funerary fashion through stones in Baroque, Classical, neo-Gothic, and modern styles. The youngest tombstone dates from 1937, marking the end of the cemetery's active use for burials.

What do the inscriptions reveal?

Many of the inscriptions are written in German, reflecting the assimilation of Prague's Jewish community at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when German had become the everyday language for many families and appeared on their memorial stones as well. Some tombstones still bear traces of photographs of the deceased that were once mounted on them, a common practice of the era that gives the site a distinctly personal and intimate atmosphere.

How has the site changed over time?

After 1980, the cemetery's grounds were reduced when its northern section, which held children's graves, was removed. Between 1982 and 1985, a new prayer hall for the Seventh-day Adventist Church was built on the site of the former ceremonial hall. The cemetery has been listed as a cultural monument since 1976, and since 1994 it has undergone ongoing restoration and conservation work aimed at preserving the remaining tombstones from further deterioration.

Can visitors tour the cemetery?

Yes, though it is not freely open to passersby the way some of Prague's better-known Jewish sites are. Access is available by prior arrangement via telephone or email, which keeps visits small in scale and free of the crowds typically found at Prague's more famous tourist attractions.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery in Smíchov founded? The cemetery was established in 1788, after the existing Jewish cemetery in Josefov could no longer meet the needs of the growing community.

How many tombstones have survived? Around 600 tombstones remain, of which 422 are still visible.

Why are so many inscriptions in German? This reflects the growing assimilation of Prague's Jewish community during the 19th and early 20th centuries, when German was widely used in daily life.

Is the cemetery legally protected? Yes, it has been listed as a cultural monument since 1976, with restoration work ongoing since 1994.

Can visitors just walk in without a reservation? No — visiting requires prior arrangement by phone or email.