Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, is one of the oldest surviving Jewish cemeteries in the world. Founded in the first half of the 15th century, the cemetery covers approximately 11,290 square meters (about 2.5 acres).
Old Jewish Cemetery is located in the heart of Prague’s historic Jewish Quarter, beneath a canopy of ancient trees. The gravestones are known for their remarkable symbolism.
This sacred site stands as a powerful testament to centuries of Jewish history, faith, and perseverance.
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HistoryHistory
The earliest tombstone in Old Jewish Cemetery dates back to 1439. It is the resting place of Avigdor Kara, a poet and scholar. The final burial took place 348 years later in 1787.
Even though the cemetery was expanded multiple times over the centuries, it was still not large enough to meet the needs of Prague's Jewish community. It was the only burial ground allowed for Jews at the time, and Jewish laws prohibited the relocation of burials.
To save space, graves were situated one above another, with bodies layered up to 10 deep. So, while there are about 12,000 gravesites on the surface, it is believed to be the final resting place for more than 100,000 individuals.
Today, visitors to the cemetery see gravestones leaning in every direction, their Hebrew inscriptions worn and faded by centuries of wind and rain.
The Old Jewish Cemetery and the Josefov GhettoThe Old Jewish Cemetery and the Josefov Ghetto
The Old Jewish Cemetery was once part of the Josefov Ghetto, an enclosed area of the city where the Jewish population was confined for centuries.
Despite hardship, the Josefov Ghetto became a center of education[1]. Old Jewish Cemetery, along with several surrounding synagogues, became a focal point of spiritual life and remembrance.
A legacy preservedA legacy preserved
In 1787, when Emperor Joseph II ordered the closure of Old Jewish Cemetery due to hygiene reforms, new Jewish burial grounds were established elsewhere in Prague. But this site was never forgotten. Throughout wars, fires, and urban change, it has survived as a symbol of endurance.
Today, the Old Jewish Cemetery is part of the Jewish Museum in Prague. Visitors enter through the Pinkas Synagogue, where the walls are inscribed with the names of Czech Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
Gravestone symbolsGravestone symbols
Many of the gravestones at Old Jewish Cemetery have symbolic engravings. They often reveal information about the individual buried beneath the monument. Here are some of the symbols and their meanings:
- Star of David - a Jewish man
- Lions - a member of the tribe of Judah
- Deer - a member of the tribe of Naphtali
- Candlesticks - a woman
- Bookshelf - scholar or rabbi
- Menorah - one who was faithful to Judaism
- Broken candles - a woman who died young
- Pitcher of water washing hands - Levites of Ashkenazi descent [2]
- Hand placing alms for the needy in a Tzedakah box - generous person
- Two hands with four fingers each divided into two sets of two fingers- descendants of the priestly line of Aaron[3]
Notable burialsNotable burials
Among those interred at Old Jewish Cemetery are some of the most revered figures in Prague’s Jewish history.
- Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel (c. 1520–1609), known as the Maharal of Prague (teacher/rabbi of Prague). Renowned scholar, philosopher, and mystic. He is best remembered as the creator of the legendary Golem of Prague, a clay figure brought to life to protect the Jewish community.
- David Gans (1541–1613), a historian and astronomer; was a student of the and a correspondent of Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler.
- Mordechai Maisel (1528–1601), was a wealthy philanthropist and influential leader of Jewish community in Prague. He financed the construction of synagogues, schools, and hospitals, many of which still stand today.
See alsoSee also
Explore moreExplore more
- Cemetery Records Worldwide, BillionGraves in MyHeritage Catalog Collection
- The Seven Largest Cemeteries in the World, BillionGraves Blog
- 10 Cemeteries to See Before You Die, BillionGraves Blog
- 10 of the World's Most Beautiful Cemeteries, BillionGraves Blog
- 10 Things You Don’t Know About Cemeteries, Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Understanding Jewish Gravestones, BillionGraves Blog
- 12 Ways to Use Gravestone Clues to Grow Your Family Tree, Legacy Family Tree Webinars
References
- ↑ Jewish Museum in Prague,https://www.jewishmuseum.cz/en/program-and-education/exhibits/archive-exhibits/328/
- ↑ BillionGraves blog,author Cathy Wallace https://blog.billiongraves.com/understanding-jewish-gravestones/
- ↑ BillionGraves blog,author Cathy Wallace https://blog.billiongraves.com/understanding-jewish-gravestones/