woodland cemetery in Hradec Králové

Lesní hřbitov (Woodland Cemetery) is an extensive forest cemetery on the southeastern edge of Hradec Králové, set within the city's municipal woodlands along Hradečnice road, a route with a documented tradition stretching back more than 700 years. It ranks among the city's most distinctive municipal burial grounds, standing out for its park-like, woodland character rather than a conventional open grid of plots.

When was the Woodland Cemetery established?

The cemetery was founded by the German city administration under mayor Josef Pilnáčka, with construction carried out between 1941 and 1942. From the outset the project was conceived on a large scale: the original layout divided the grounds into five sections, allowing the necropolis to be developed gradually as the city's needs grew.

Who designed the cemetery's layout?

The spatial concept came from associate professor Bohumil Kavka (1901–1977), a figure well known in Czech landscape gardening as the director of Průhonice Park. That background in designing large-scale park landscapes is evident in the character of the Lesní hřbitov itself: rather than a regular, geometric network of paths, the cemetery follows the natural contours of the forest terrain, preserving the tree cover as the dominant compositional element.

How large is the cemetery grounds?

The site covers roughly 129,913 square meters, making it one of the larger burial grounds of its kind in the region. This scale allowed a substantial portion of the natural forest to be retained, so walking between the sections feels closer to strolling through a woodland park than visiting a typical urban cemetery.

What else can be found nearby?

Adjacent to the Lesní hřbitov is a natural cemetery for domestic animals (Přírodní hřbitov domácích zvířat). Its presence right next to the main necropolis reflects the strong emphasis placed on the green, forested character of this entire funerary complex on this side of the city.

Is the Woodland Cemetery still in use today?

Yes, it remains one of Hradec Králové's active municipal cemeteries. More than eight decades after its founding, the site's woodland identity — dense tree cover, natural paths, and a quiet, secluded location away from the city center — continues to define it and sets it apart from other cemeteries in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Woodland Cemetery located? On the southeastern edge of Hradec Králové, within the city's municipal forests, along Hradečnice road.

Who designed the cemetery? Associate professor Bohumil Kavka, known also as the director of Průhonice Park, who based the layout on the natural shape of the forest.

When was it built? It was founded by the German city administration under mayor Josef Pilnáčka, with construction taking place between 1941 and 1942.

Is there anything else notable nearby? Yes, a natural cemetery for domestic animals lies right next to it, underscoring the woodland, nature-oriented character of the whole area.