Jewish cemetery in Bodzentyn

The Jewish cemetery in Bodzentyn, known as the kirkut, is located in a picturesque grove on the northern slope of Miejska Góra, near the road to Święta Katarzyna. It covers an area of 2 hectares and contains approximately 55 matzevot (tombstones) dating from 1870 to 1934, featuring Hebrew inscriptions and richly decorated slabs, some of which still retain traces of polychrome. The history of the cemetery dates back to the mid-19th century, when the local Jewish community, then under the synagogue supervision of Szydłowiec, needed their own burial ground. In 1866, an application was submitted to allocate land for the cemetery, which was successful, as the designated area, known as Krakowiec, had previously been used by the Jewish community for burials. Formal plans were drawn up by engineer Alfons Welke in 1867, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the cemetery was fenced. In 1933, the cemetery was expanded with an additional field, where the last burial took place in 1942. After the war, following the liquidation of the ghetto, the kirkut suffered significant damage, and in 1964 it was closed to further burials. In the 21st century, it underwent restoration and now serves as an important memorial site. An interesting fact is that the cemetery is the resting place of Dorota z Bryczkowskich Herling-Grudzińska, the mother of the renowned writer Gustaw Herling-Grudziński. The Bodzentyn kirkut not only forms a vital part of the local cultural identity but also reflects the rich history of the Jewish community in the region.