Basic information
In 1867, a Jewish cemetery was founded in the neighborhood of Catholic and Protestant cemeteries in today’s Smetana Park, southwest of the city centre, near the medieval Jewish burial ground. Burials ceased here in 1900, at which time some of the tombstones were transferred to the new cemetery at Neredín.
Essentially, the only well-preserved, tangible monument of the Jewish community in Olomouc is the Jewish section of the municipal cemetery in Neředín. This cemetery, with a cohesive urban design, was established in 1900 and earmarked the whole eastern sector for Jewish graves.
The new Jewish cemetery, with an area of 9,040 square meters, is dominated by a neo-Gothic ceremonial hall, whose facade is decorated with a metal Star of David and some traces of a Hebrew inscription. Commemorative plaques, placed originally in the interior and bearing the names of 1520 Jewish victims of the Second World War from Olomouc, have been transferred to the Jewish house of prayer at No.7 Komenský Street.
Around one thousand tombstones, ranging from simple headstones to the most ornate tombs, are found in regular groups. Tombstones of the modern type are made of light or dark granite, marble, and artificial stone, and feature austere decor and minimal symbolism, with German and Czech inscriptions. The opulent tombs are located primarily next to the ceremonial hall.
Also at the Neředín cemetery, there stands a stone memorial to the martyrs of Olomouc who fell victim to the Nazis, including the head precentor Berthold Wolf, the Religious Community chairman Dr. Ludvík Meissner, and the poet Vlastimil Artur Polák.
Both the memorial to the martyred Jews and the ceremonial hall are listed as protected monuments.