Jewish Cemetery in Żywiec

The Jewish cemetery in Żywiec lies on ulica Stolarska in the Zabłocie district, next to the Roman Catholic cemetery. It covers about half a hectare and is listed in the heritage register.

History

The necropolis was founded in the 19th century; the heritage register gives the year 1860. About 500 matzevot have survived there, the oldest belonging to Zymel, buried in 1853, and the last dating from 1946. The gravestones were made mainly of sandstone, granite and limestone. Walter Munk, an artillery second lieutenant who was posthumously awarded the Virtuti Militari for taking part in the defence of Zamość, is buried here.

Destruction and clearing

During the Second World War the cemetery was devastated and the most valuable gravestones of black marble were plundered. Some of the matzevot were used to reinforce the banks of a nearby stream. The destruction continued after the war. The pre-burial house was destroyed by fire in 2005. The cemetery was tidied in 2002, and further renovation was carried out in 2018-2020.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Stolarska, Żywiec.
• This is a place of remembrance; the rules of behaviour appropriate to a cemetery apply.
• Nearby is the Church of St Florian.