The National Cemetery, Memorial cemetery in Terezín, Czech Republic

The National Cemetery lies in front of the Small Fortress in Terezín, built between 1945 and 1958 at the initiative of the families of victims. It has a triangular plan bounded by the fortress moat on the east and holds 2,386 numbered skeleton and urn graves, plus five mass graves marked by stone steles. Red roses grow at every grave, and a Christian cross and a Star of David stand above the site.

The cemetery was established in 1945 when remains were exhumed from six mass graves located within the ramparts of the Small Fortress. Additional victims were discovered in 1958 near underground factories and added to the site.

Jewish visitors leave small stones on the tombstones, a customary sign of remembrance. Each May the cemetery hosts the Terezínská tryzna, a memorial ceremony honouring all who died at Terezín during the Second World War.

The cemetery lies directly in front of the Small Fortress, between the south side of the access road to the main gate and the north side of the former E55 road. It is enclosed on the east by the fortress moat. The triangular grounds are best explored on foot, allowing time to locate numbered graves and the five mass-grave stelae.

Two religious symbols stand above the cemetery: a Christian cross and a Star of David. Jewish visitors leave small stones on the tombstones, and red roses grow at every grave.