Old Jewish Cemetery, Jewish cemetery in Josefov, Prague, Czech Republic
The Old Jewish Cemetery is a burial ground in Josefov featuring thousands of closely spaced weathered gravestones. The stones are covered with Hebrew inscriptions and decorative symbols, and the ground surface rises and falls unevenly due to the many layers of burials beneath.
The burial ground was founded in 1439 and became one of Europe's oldest Jewish cemeteries. Its use ended in 1787 when authorities banned burials within Prague city limits due to health concerns.
The gravestones display traditional Jewish symbols such as lions, grapes, and stars, representing details about the names and lives of those buried below. Many stones bear Hebrew inscriptions carved into their surfaces, telling stories through both words and images.
Visitors can book guided tours through the grounds, which are organized by a Prague museum. The entrance is located near Siroka Street, and it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven and sometimes slippery.
Due to limited space and religious rules against moving graves, bodies were buried in layers up to twelve deep. This caused the ground level to rise naturally over the centuries, creating the jumbled arrangement of stones visible today.
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