JEWISH CEMETERY

The Jewish cemetery in Stara Bystrica was established by the Jewish community in the 18th century. It was destroyed during the war and fell into disrepair.

For many years, the tombstones were barely recognizable in an area full of garbage, many of them were broken and scattered on a nearby field.

During the restoration, an archaeological and geological survey was carried out.

An unpaved road led to the cemetery. Originally, the entire site was surrounded by a stone wall, which was either demolished during WW2 or taken apart just after.

On the left side of the current entrance to the cemetery, there is Ciduk Hadin (mourning house), which was found during the renovation. In the overgrown shrubs there were a few preserved beautiful tombstones of several important people and families who lived and worked in the Bystrica valley.

VAN JARINA architecture studio begun to prepare the renovation project in 2016, when commissioned by the municipality as part of the program “Saving cultural heritage together”. The implementation begun in 2023.

The cemetery´s centerpiece is a symbolic monument. One side carries carved list of the deceased, the other a list of the deported Jewish inhabitants of the area.

The project focused on restoring the remaining tombstones, while keeping their original orientation. The remaining tombstones, which could not be identified, were incorporated into the grass landscape and stone wall.

The landscape concept surrounds the cemetery site by a short new stone wall. Ground works were minimized. The cemetery site was completed with added trees, park furniture, respectful lighting and an information system.

Most crucially, a new access route was established, paved with stone.

When we arrived at the Jewish cemetery in Stara Bystrica after the renovation, we were touched by the beauty of the site, which we, joining forces with the municipality, saved from being forgotten.

Site area: 1008 m²

• Year : 2023
• City : STARA BYSTRICA