Jewish Cemetery in Lwówek Śląski

The Jewish cemetery in Lwówek Śląski opened on 18 January 1815 - on that day the first child was buried there. It covered about 0.16 hectares and was created on the site of a former, medieval cemetery, which fell out of use after the 15th century. Not a single gravestone remains at today's cemetery.

History of the community

The first, medieval cemetery in the town ceased to be used after the pogroms of the mid-15th century. The Jewish presence in Lwówek Śląski was revived in 1786, when Daniel Meyer returned to the town, and his family founded the local synagogue. The new cemetery opened soon afterwards on land bought from a local gardener.

Devastation

In 1926 pupils from the local grammar school painted antisemitic symbols on the gravestones. During Kristallnacht in 1938 Jewish property was destroyed, and thirty residents left the town. Between 1941 and 1944, despite attempts by the German authorities to block the transaction, the cemetery land was sold to the town gardener.

Destruction in 1968 and present state

According to unconfirmed reports, the abandoned cemetery was completely destroyed in March 1968, and responsibility is attributed to members of a youth organisation. The site today lies in the southern part of the Municipal Park on Oświęcimska Street. Only isolated fragments of gravestone masonry have survived by the park fence in its northern part. Despite the park's revitalisation, there is still no plaque informing visitors of the former cemetery.

Practical information

• Location: Lwówek Śląski, Lwówek County, southern part of the Municipal Park on Oświęcimska Street.
• The town's historic centre, with the Lubań Gate Tower, lies close by.
• This is a site left after the destruction of the local Jewish community, without markers or tourist infrastructure - worth remembering while walking through the park.