Chatam Sofer Memorial, cemetery in Bratislava, Slovakia
The Chatam Sofer Memorial is an underground cemetery in Bratislava holding 23 graves of important rabbis and Torah scholars. The site was restored between 2000 and 2002 with a contemporary design by architect Martin Kvasnica that respects Jewish law while using modern architectural language.
The original cemetery dates to the 17th century when Bratislava's Jewish community established a burial ground. During World War II, tunneling work in 1943 and 1944 destroyed most graves, and the remains were moved to another cemetery nearby.
This site honors Rabbi Moshe Schreiber, a 19th-century leader who founded an influential school of Jewish learning and shaped the community's religious life. His teachings continue to hold meaning for Orthodox Jewish visitors who come from around the world to pay respects.
Visitors should dress modestly and behave respectfully by speaking quietly; men are asked to cover their heads with hats or caps as a sign of respect. The site is located in a peaceful part of Bratislava and is easily accessible on foot or by public transport.
Of the hundreds of graves that once lay in this cemetery, only 22 survived destruction during World War II. Today, this small number of preserved graves stands as a powerful reminder of the community's resilience and commitment to remembrance despite severe loss.
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