JEMNICE JEWISH CEMETERY

During World War II, the Jewish cemetery in Jemnice was destroyed by the Nazis and one of the town’s streets was paved with the tombstones. After the liberation, however, they were returned.

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Turistické informační centrum Jemnice
Husova 2
67531 Jemnice
region Třebíč
49.015896, 15.569407Map
Period: summer, winter

The Jewish cemetery in Jemnice has stood on the same spot since the 14th century, making it one of the oldest burial grounds in Moravia. The cemetery has an irregular shape and is surrounded by a massive stone and brick wall. After 1824 a simple mortuary was built there, which was demolished in the 1950s.

On a slope there are 25 irregular rows of graves, which are perpendicular to the contour lines. The older tombstones are written in Hebrew and have floral or ornamental decoration. The modern tombstones are less grand and written in German. The oldest preserved tombstones date from the end of the 17th century, while the last burial took place at the beginning of World War II. After that, the cemetery was severely damaged by the Nazis, the new tombstones were removed and stolen, and the older monuments were used to pave the street Na malé brance. After the liberation, these tombstones were returned to the cemetery, but only leaning against the wall. After the Velvet revolution the area was restored. About four hundred tombstones have survived.

Photo: archive of Vysočina Tourism