The New Jewish Cemetery (Nowy cmentarz żydowski) is the final resting place for thousands of members of Kraków’s Jewish community. Despite its name, this vast cemetery has been in use for over 200 years. The New Jewish Cemetery contains thousands of tombstones, some faded and others that have stood the test of time.
With crumbling, leaning, overgrown and weather-worn gravestones, the cemetery often looks as though it has been frozen in time. During the World War II German occupation of Poland, Nazi troops used the grounds as a shooting range. Legend states that the vandalized stones were then used to pave a road to the German military camp.
A notable sight is the postwar memorial, which honors the Jews who lost their lives in the tragic events of the Holocaust. Crowning the memorial is a slab of black marble engraved with an image of the seven-arm Hebrew candleholder, the menorah. Amble along the cemetery’s pathways and pause for reflection at the closely grouped graves. Several commemorate entire families but have sadly been left to decay due to the lack of a surviving family member to maintain them.
The tombs of celebrated Jews also sit scattered around the cemetery. Among those buried here are Rabbi Ozjasz Thon, pioneering children’s psychiatrist Maria Orwid and painters Artur Markowicz and Maurycy Gottlieb. Look for a wall built from fragments of destroyed headstones. Observe as Jewish families come to say prayers and pay their respects to friends and family.
Find the cemetery on the western edge of Kraków’s historic Jewish quarter, Kazimierz. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Old Town and a 25-minute walk from Kraków Glówny train station. Nearby attractions include the Galicia Jewish Museum, Remuh Synagogue and Wolnica Square.
The New Jewish Cemetery is open from Sunday to Friday. This is an active place of worship so dress modestly and remain quiet when visiting. Photography is permitted.
