Jewish cemetery in Warsaw

The Jewish Cemetery in Bródno, Warsaw, established in 1780 by Szmul Jakubowicz Zbytkower, has a rich history and cultural significance. Initially, the necropolis covered an area of 0.75 hectares, with the first burials taking place as early as 1743. The cemetery served as the final resting place for both poorer Jews and notable figures, such as the inventor Abraham Stern. In the 19th century, after management was taken over by the Jewish Community, the cemetery was significantly expanded, and the fencing and new buildings were funded by the Zbytkower family. During World War II and in the post-war period, the cemetery was destroyed, and many tombstones and buildings were devastated. After 1945, the necropolis was largely forgotten, and there were even plans to develop the area into a park. It was not until the 1980s that restoration work began, and the cemetery was fenced off and renovated. In 2009, it was entered into the register of historical monuments, and in 2012, it was handed over to the Jewish Religious Community in Warsaw. Today, the cemetery boasts around 40,000 matzevot, although some of them were unfortunately used in the past for construction elsewhere, such as in the Warsaw Zoo or Jan Szypowski Park. In recent years, topographic and archaeological work has been carried out, allowing for a better understanding of the site's history and the rediscovery of original pathways and graves of important figures. In 2018, the exhibition "Beit almin – House of Eternity" was opened, dedicated to Jewish traditions related to cemeteries. It is also worth mentioning that scenes for the films "Pokolenie" and "Europa, Europa" were filmed on the cemetery grounds, highlighting its importance in Polish culture and history. The cemetery is currently open to visitors, and its architecture, with monumental gates and central pathways, constitutes an important part of the heritage of Warsaw's Jewish community.