Old Jewish Cemetery in Tachov

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Tachov ranks among the oldest and most valuable remnants of Jewish life in western Bohemia. It sits on the southeastern edge of the town, along Chodská street, and was established before 1615 — making it one of the older surviving Jewish burial grounds in the region.

How long was the cemetery in use?

As the local Jewish community grew, the burial ground was enlarged several times, with the final expansion carried out in 1869. Burials continued here without interruption until 1933, when the community opened a new Jewish cemetery roughly a kilometer to the south. For more than three centuries, then, this site along Chodská street served as the principal resting place for the Jewish population of Tachov and its surroundings.

What made Tachov's Jewish community notable?

For centuries, Tachov was an important center of Jewish life in western Bohemia. During the 18th and 19th centuries the town was home to a respected Talmudic school (yeshiva), and it also served as the seat of a regional rabbi whose duties extended to nearby communities. The religious significance of the town was reflected in its synagogue, standing near the town walls — originally built in the 16th century, enlarged after a fire in 1818, then destroyed by another fire in 1911 and replaced with a new Art Nouveau building.

What has survived at the cemetery?

Around 190 gravestones remain on the grounds today, the oldest dating to roughly 1700. The markers are made of granite and sandstone: some are smooth, plain slabs bearing only an inscription, while others feature carved relief decoration or are combined into larger multi-grave monuments. Inscriptions appear in both Hebrew and German, reflecting the bilingual character of the local Jewish community.

What damage has the cemetery suffered?

The site's history has not been without serious losses. The cemetery was vandalized during the Nazi occupation and later suffered further damage in connection with construction work carried out in the town. After 1968, a number of gravestones in the western part of the cemetery were removed, including the grave of Rabbi Nachum Sofer — a site that had previously drawn pilgrims seeking spiritual solace.

What is the cemetery's status today?

Despite these losses, the cemetery has retained its historical value and is now protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. It stands as an important testament to the centuries-long Jewish presence in the Tachov region and remains one of the few such well-preserved sites of this heritage in western Bohemia.

Frequently asked questions

When was the cemetery founded? It was established before 1615 and remained in use until 1933, when a new Jewish cemetery was opened in the town.

How many gravestones survive today? Around 190 gravestones remain, with the oldest dating to approximately 1700.

What languages appear on the gravestone inscriptions? Inscriptions are in Hebrew and German.

Is the cemetery legally protected? Yes, it is listed as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic.

Why is Rabbi Nachum Sofer's grave significant? It was once a site of pilgrimage, but after 1968 the gravestone, along with other rabbinical graves in the western part of the cemetery, was removed.