St Roch's Cemetery in Częstochowa

St Roch's Cemetery, on the eastern edge of Częstochowa's Lisiniec district, is an active necropolis entered in the heritage register. The first burials took place here in 1641. It is not known for certain how it came about: it may have been a cemetery for pilgrims who died on the way to Jasna Góra, or a cemetery for the victims of an epidemic, as its patron suggests.

History and chapel

In 1737 the cemetery was enlarged, two years later the first masonry tombs appeared, and in 1767 it was first surrounded by a wall. The first chapel, from 1641-1642, was destroyed during the Swedish Deluge. In its place stood the Church of St Roch and St Sebastian, consecrated in 1680 and rebuilt in 1783-1785; it has a single nave and Baroque features. Until 1880 it was looked after by the Pauline Fathers from nearby Jasna Góra.

Plots and graves

The cemetery has a plot of 17 Silesian insurgents killed in 1921, graves of insurgents of 1863, a collective grave of 13 victims of Nazi terror, including hostages shot in 1943, and a plot of soldiers killed in 1915-1918. Gravestones from 1849-1906 have survived. Among those buried is Halina Poświatowska, to whom the museum in Częstochowa is dedicated. A separate section is a distinct Evangelical-Augsburg cemetery.

Practical information

• Address: ul. św. Rocha 79, Częstochowa.
• The cemetery is active, so quiet and respect are required.