Old Jewish Cemetery, Wrocław

The Old Jewish Cemetery (Polish: Stary Cmentarz Żydowski we Wrocławiu) is a historic necropolis-museum situated on 37/39 Ślężna Street, in the southern part of Wrocław (formerly Breslau), Poland. Opened in 1856, the cemetery's eclectic layout features many architectural forms and styles on a monumental scale.[2]

Old Jewish Cemetery
Stary Cmentarz Żydowski
Entrance gate
Details
EstablishedNovember 1856
Location
37/39 Ślężna Street, Wrocław
CountryPoland
Coordinates51°05′12″N 17°01′30″E
TypeJewish cemetery
Owned byCity Museum of Wrocław
Size4,6 ha
No. of gravesApproximately 12,000[1]
Hands motif
One of the monumental mausoleums in the cemetery

The current shape of the cemetery evolved mostly throughout the 19th century, during the times of the German Empire. The first burial took place in what was then the village of Gabitz (Gajowice), just outside city limits. The cemetery area was then expanded twice. In 1943, the burial ceremonies were abandoned and the necropolis was leased for five years to a gardening center. During World War II, the cemetery became a fierce battleground, the marks of which are still visible on many tombstones. It was inscribed into the register of city monuments in 1975.

Architecture

Most of the cemetery objects were built in second half of the 19th century. They imitate various architectural styles including Ancient, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque. Great example of Ancient architecture are numerous columns located throughout the cemetery that are symbols of life and eternity. Columns imitating broken trees reflect the tragedy of fragile life and death. Tombstones are signed by bilingual inscriptions, most commonly German and Jewish.[3]

Most common symbols of Jewish culture which can be seen on tombstones are:

  • hands - on the tombstones of descendants of Aaron
  • oriental tree - ancient symbol of messianic hope
  • broken rose - motif of death
  • helmet - army officer symbol
  • palms - symbols of national sacrifice of Jews[3]

Renowned people buried at the cemetery

Antisemitic incident

On July 30, 2010, the Jewish cemetery in Wrocław was desecrated with swastikas drawings and vulgar graffiti. In addition, some of the gravestones were broken.[4]

  • Helmet motif
  • Leopold Aucherbach tombstone
  • Oriental tree symbol
  • Tombstone destroyed during World War II
  • Exotic interior of a mausoleum
  • Broken tree

References
  1. "Spacer dla seniorów po Starym Cmentarzu Żydowskim". VisitWroclaw.eu.
  2. "Stary Cmentarz Żydowski przy ul. Ślężnej". www.wroclaw.pl.
  3. Łagiewski, Maciej. Stary Cmentarz Żydowski we Wrocławiu. Via Nova.
  4. "Poland - Jewish cemetery desecrated". CFCA. CFCA. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
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