The Jewish cemetery in Tarnów

The Jewish cemetery in Tarnów, located at Szpitalna Street, is one of the oldest and largest Jewish cemeteries in southern Poland, with a history dating back to at least 1581. Covering an area of 3.2 hectares, it contains around three thousand preserved tombstones, the oldest of which dates back to 1667. The necropolis holds great historical significance, particularly in the context of the Holocaust, as approximately 25,000 people lost their lives during the extermination of the Tarnów Ghetto Jews. Their mass grave is located just behind the original historical gate, which was later moved to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. In 1946, Dawid Beckert erected a monument in the shape of a broken column at this site, symbolizing the destroyed New Synagogue. The cemetery has undergone various stages of restoration over the years. In 1988, the Committee for the Protection of Jewish Cultural Heritage in Poland was established, initiating cleanup efforts. Further restoration work was carried out in 2000 and between 2018 and 2019. In the military section, 27 tombstones of soldiers who died during World War I were restored. Geological studies have revealed that more than 11,000 people are buried in the necropolis. Unfortunately, in June 2020, the cemetery was vandalized, with offenders placing offensive slogans—a sad reminder of the persistence of antisemitism. The cemetery remains a vital part of Tarnów's cultural heritage, preserving not only tombstones but also the traditions and memory of the Jewish community that for centuries contributed to the region's development.