The forest Jewish cemetery in Úštěk

On the opposite side of the valley from the synagogue lies an interesting historical landmark – a forest Jewish cemetery. It contains around 300 tombstones, the oldest of which is likely to date from the end of 15th century. The cemetery also has an interesting present, thanks to the strong will of people devoted to saving such landmarks.

You reach the cemetery by taking a romantic path past local curiosities, referred to as Bird Houses, along the road near the synagogue. It was established beside an old execution ground (the hill is named Gallows Hill for a reason). The oldest legible tombstones date form 1672, 1690 and 1704; however, it is likely that burials took place there from the turn of the 15^th and 16^th centuries. The total destruction of the cemetery began after 1940, continuing after WWII. Both the walls and the ceremonial hall were destroyed, with the material being used in the construction of a nearby roadhouse. The granite headstones survived at least in part, thanks above all to the Union of Jewish Youth and the Prague Jewish Community. Repairs have been going on since 2001, with people from a number of countries, including Japan, taking part in the work.