Psí hřbitov

Psí hřbitov (Dog Cemetery) in Kunštát is a small yet remarkably rare monument – one of the oldest dog cemeteries in Europe. It sits right in front of the gate to Kunštát Castle in Moravia and is freely accessible year-round, with no admission fee or restricted hours.

Where did it come from?

The cemetery was founded around 1890 by the then-owners of the Kunštát estate, the free barons Honrichs of Wolfswarffen. Private animal cemeteries were unusual among the aristocracy at the time – they were never a standard feature of noble residences, but rather an exception found on only a handful of estates. Hunting dogs and household companions belonging to the castle's owners were buried here, treated as full-fledged members of the family.

What can visitors see today?

A total of 16 monuments have survived at the cemetery. Twelve of them still bear legible names and dates, while the remaining four have been worn away by time. The oldest readable monument dates to 1890 and is dedicated to a dog named Lux. Other preserved names include Issi, Zuppi, Flott, Mopsi, and the Czech name Žolička. Each stone is a personal keepsake, evidence of how deeply attached the castle's former owners were to their animals.

No burials take place at the Kunštát dog cemetery anymore – today the site is purely historical and functions as an unusual tourist attraction.

Why is this place so exceptional?

Dog cemeteries established by the aristocracy in memory of loyal hunting and household companions were never common – they were, as a rule, a rarity. Yet the Kunštát cemetery stands out among similar sites in Europe for its history and recognition. Notably, an English-language tourist guide to the Czech Republic listed only two destinations from the entire Blansko region worth visiting – the Punkva Caves (Punkevní jeskyně) and the Kunštát dog cemetery. That says a lot about how much attention this small site has attracted among foreign travelers, at times overshadowing the castle it stands beside.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to Psí hřbitov paid? No, the cemetery is freely accessible year-round, free of charge.

When was the cemetery established? It was founded around 1890, and the oldest surviving legible gravestone bears that very date.

How many gravestones have survived? A total of 16, of which 12 still have legible names and dates.

Are animals still buried here? No – the site today is purely historical, preserved as a heritage curiosity.

Where exactly is the cemetery located? Right in front of the gate to Kunštát Castle in Moravia, making it an easy stop when visiting the castle itself.