Týn nad Vltavou cemetery

Týn nad Vltavou cemetery is the town's oldest still-active burial ground, established after the older cemetery on the town square was closed in 1771. From that point on, this site on the edge of Týn nad Vltavou became the sole resting place for the town's residents and the surrounding villages.

What does the cemetery look like?

The grounds are enclosed by a stone wall built from rough fieldstone, a style typical of South Bohemian cemeteries from that era. In the southwestern part of the cemetery stands a former mortuary house — a brick, four-sided building topped with an octagonal, tile-covered dome. Beneath this structure lies a crypt where members of the Kolodějský branch of the Vratislav family of Mirovice, one of the noble families historically tied to the region, were laid to rest.

Who is buried in the crypt?

The crypt's recorded history reaches back to the early 19th century. Dean Walauch was buried there in 1823. Burials in the crypt then resumed after a gap in 1863, when Dean Švejnoha was interred there the same year. These clergy burials reflect the significant role the Catholic Church played in the town's life across the centuries.

Which notable figures rest here?

The cemetery holds the graves of several people of wider historical significance. The best known is Matěj Kopecký, a legendary Czech puppeteer regarded as one of the founding figures of the Czech puppet theatre tradition. He died in 1847 in nearby Koloděje nad Lužnicí and was buried here.

The cemetery also contains the grave of Karel Komzák Sr. (1823–1893), a composer associated with the South Bohemian region, and Josef Sakař (1870–1937), a historian whose work helped document the history of Týn nad Vltavou and its surroundings.

Why is it worth a visit?

The cemetery combines its function as a burial site with the role of a kind of local historical archive — walking among the gravestones, visitors can trace the fates of burgher families, clergy, and cultural figures connected to the town from the late 18th century through the 20th century. The mortuary house's architecture, with its distinctive dome, is one of the few well-preserved examples of this type of building in the region.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Týn nad Vltavou cemetery established? It became the town's main burial ground after 1771, when the older cemetery at the town square was closed.

Who is buried in the crypt beneath the mortuary house? Members of the Kolodějský branch of the Vratislav family of Mirovice rest there, along with two local deans — Walauch (buried in 1823) and Švejnoha (1863).

Which notable cultural figure is buried at this cemetery? Matěj Kopecký, one of the most celebrated Czech puppeteers, who died in 1847 near Týn nad Vltavou.

Are there any historic buildings preserved on the cemetery grounds? Yes — a brick mortuary house with an octagonal, tile-covered dome stands in the southwestern part of the cemetery, dating from before the 19th century.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, it is an active municipal cemetery open to the public, though it is occasionally closed temporarily to visitors during town events such as the Vltavotýn festivities.