Ošalny Cemetery, Prague

DATE OF VISIT: 30th September 2024

COMMENTS & FEEDBACK

Ošalny Cemetery, also known as Olsany Cemetery (Olšanské hřbitovy), is the largest and one of the most historic cemeteries in Prague, Czech Republic. Its history stretches back over three centuries and is deeply tied to the city's cultural, religious, and political life.

Founding and Early History:

• Founded in 1680, the cemetery was established in response to the plague epidemic that struck Prague. The city's existing burial grounds were insufficient to handle the number of victims, so new land outside the city was allocated for burials.
• Originally, the cemetery was meant to serve as a mass burial ground for plague victims, but over time it became a general burial site for the residents of Prague.

Expansion in the 18th and 19th Centuries:

• A second plague wave in 1713 led to further expansion of Olsany Cemetery.
• By the 19th century, Olsany had become the primary burial site for Prague's growing population. Several sections were added, making it a vast complex that includes multiple individual cemeteries.
• As Prague grew and modernized, the cemetery expanded to include areas for Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Jews, and other religious communities. Some sections were also designated for military burials, including Russian soldiers from the Napoleonic wars and World War I.

Cultural and Historical Importance:

• Olsany Cemetery has been the final resting place for many prominent Czech figures in the arts, politics, and sciences. Among the most notable are:
  • Jan Palach, the student who self-immolated in 1969 to protest the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
  • Karel Havlíček Borovský, a famous journalist and political thinker.
  • Alphonse Mucha, a renowned Art Nouveau artist.
• Many important historical monuments and sculptures can be found throughout the cemetery, reflecting the architectural styles of different periods.

Modern Era and Preservation:

• The cemetery is still active today, though much of it serves as a historical and cultural site rather than solely a burial ground.
• Olsany Cemetery is now maintained as a cultural monument and a place of significant historical interest, with its tombs and memorials preserved for their artistic and historical value.
• In recent years, there have been efforts to restore and protect some of the older and more deteriorated sections of the cemetery.

Structure:

• Olsany Cemetery covers over 50 hectares (about 124 acres), divided into numerous sections, including areas for Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Orthodox Christians.
• The Jewish sections of the cemetery are particularly notable, as Prague has a long Jewish history. One part of Olsany holds graves that were moved from older Jewish cemeteries in the city when those were closed or relocated.