JOSEFOV - JEWISH CEMETERY

The Jewish Cemetery in the Josefov district of Prague is a fascinating place. It is surrounded by several synagogues in the Jewish quarter of Josefov. Named after Josef II who in 1784 relaxed the oppresive rules under which the Jews had lived. The old ghetto was razed in the1890 's, but the cemetery, synagogues and Town Hall were saved. Hitler ordered the acquisition of Jewish treasures. he had these kept in Maisel Synagogue in order to establish a place where artifacts of an "extinct race" could be exhibited.

The cemetery is thought to contain over 100,000 persons. Today 12,000 tombstones are visible. The last burial here was in 1787.