The Famous Layered Jewish Cemetery in Prague
by Lauren Axelrod on 27/09/09 at 3:27 am
Although abundantly dressed in hundreds of Gothic like blocks and layered with century old figures, this historical site does not fall short of mystery and intrigue. For centuries, history has unraveled on the grounds of the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague where historians, philosophers, scientists, and scholars have been laid to rest.
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The Old Jewish Cemetery located in Josefov, Prague was built in the 1400’s. Many of the inhabitants of the burial grounds were residents in the ghetto like Jewish Quarter, and they were segregated and forced to reside there under the strict institution of the Christian authorities. Of course, these types of ethnic neighborhoods still exist in the United States, Europe and Middle Eastern countries. Typically, they are situated in large metropolitan areas where their local culture is still being practiced.
The People
Source
Over the centuries, there has been close to 12 layers of people buried within the confines of the Old Jewish cemetery. It has been estimated that there are approximately 12,000 tombstones presently visible and there may be as many as 100,000 burials in all. The most important personalities buried in the Old Jewish Cemetery are Yehuda ben Bezalel known as the Maharal Rabbi Löw , Mordechai Maisel, David Gans and David Oppenhei.
David Oppenheim is especially renowned for his famous Hebrew library, the foundation of which was a numerous collection left to him by his uncle, Samuel Oppenheim, in which were some valuable manuscripts. David was also a distinguished cabalist.
Mordechai Maisel was first mentioned in 1569, having business relations with the communal director Isaac Rofe. Eva, his first wife, died before 1580, however she assisted him in building the Jewish Town Hall in Prague, which is still standing, as well as the neighboring Hohe synagogue, where the Jewish court sat.
Image via Wikipedia
David Gans was a mathematician, historian, astronomer, astrologer, and is best known for the works Tzemach David (1592) and Nechmad ve’naim. His grave is marked in the cemetery with a “Magen David” and a goose .
Image via Wikipedia
An Archaeological Find
The Old Jewish cemetery’s ancestor was a cemetery called “The Jewish Garden”, which was found in archaeological excavations under the Vladislavova street, New Town. What’s interesting about the find was that it was previously mentioned in the Old Testament which made reference to gardens and the Song of Solomon. Today, there is little to be seen due to the years of weathering.
The odd layering of the cemetery may have been adopted because of the heathens surrounding the Jewish people. They set up graves and altars in the parks and sacrificed in the open air. Although, with the emphasis on foliage and lush landscapes, the stones make sense. It’s rather a garden of people who have blessed the earth, as opposed to the cemeteries now that are perfectly manicured and without identity, except for the frigid stones that are symbols of what once was.
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27 Comments
NickFord
Sep 27th, 2009
Interesting and well researched. Thanks
Francois Hagnere
Sep 27th, 2009
Interesting and very well-crafted article. Thank you Lauren.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
Sep 27th, 2009
Very intriguing and fascinating.
CaSundara
Sep 27th, 2009
Another interesting article, thanks for sharing.
evviesands
Sep 27th, 2009
I agree with your last remark, what makes it beautiful is the fact that tombstones are not perfectly in place, imperfection is beauty.
Chris Marlowe II
Sep 27th, 2009
Yes, I remember being there a few centuries ago. Awesome place, indeed.
Yours Truly,
the One & Only
Troll of Triond
C Jordan
Sep 27th, 2009
Interesting article Lauren
R J Evans
Sep 27th, 2009
Fascinating – such a shame it is in somewhat of a state of disrepair….
Lostash
Sep 27th, 2009
Strange, interesting and the pictures make it quite pretty too!
Joe Dorish
Sep 27th, 2009
Interesting article Lauren! Have never seen a cemetery quite like this one.
Lucas Dié
Sep 27th, 2009
a remarkable article again … for everybody reading it, go visit Rabbi Löw’s Golem in Prague …
Emma C S
Sep 27th, 2009
Interesting article. I went there a long time ago, it’s good to finally read a little more about it.
politics101
Sep 27th, 2009
Well written article Lauren. Informative and very interesting.
Cemetaries are always dark and scary. This article is more than spooky. History and education always go hand in hand.
Jo Oliver
Sep 27th, 2009
shame about the weathering. Something is really disturbing about the 12 layers.
Glynis Smy
Sep 28th, 2009
Fascinating Lauren, thanks.
kate smedley
Sep 28th, 2009
It looks beautiful, I love places like this, fascinating article.
Buttercup
Sep 28th, 2009
Beautiful Cemetery. I love old tombstones. Their so unique beautiful. The story behind it, was well written.
valli
Sep 28th, 2009
Interesting info.
JohnSilk
Sep 29th, 2009
Fascinating…
RJ Chamberlain
Sep 29th, 2009
Interesting Lauren. Not sure I would visit though.
RJ
Unofre Pili
Sep 29th, 2009
Intriguing article, Lauren. The sight of an ocean of graves in cemeteries especially in ancient cemeteries like this makes us ponder and reflect upon the very meaning of life and man.
Tlchimes
Sep 29th, 2009
I have often wandered in old cemeteries and wondered about the people buried there…..
Great read…. thank you.
Helen Baggott
Sep 29th, 2009
A fascinating article.
Jacques Berkeley
Sep 29th, 2009
That’s an interesting historical piece.
Chris Stonecipher
Sep 30th, 2009
Lauren,
I love history and your article is interesting and informative.
Adam
Sep 30th, 2009
The only cemetery that I have visited while traveling was one of New Orleans above ground cemeteries. Due to the town being below sea level, if they buried their dead, they would be floating around all too often. Often times the tombs in New Orleans are shared by multiple individuals.
WriteEditSeek
Oct 12th, 2009
My husband and I visited Prague a few years ago and had the opportunity to go to this cemetery. The Antisemitism in Prague and in many other cities in Europe before WWII becomes glaringly apparent when you see the tiny plots of land that Jews were allowed to live. They were forced to stack the bodies of their dead because they had no other land in which to bury them. They could not easily acquire additional land.
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