The Jewish Cemetery in Bardejov is an important landmark of the city's Jewish heritage. Situated on a hillside near a public road, close to residential and commercial properties, it serves as the final resting place for members of Bardejov’s Jewish community and a valuable testament to its history.

The grounds contain 1,288 gravestones dating from the 18th to the 20th century. Made from various materials—mainly marble, granite, limestone, and sandstone—some feature smoothly polished surfaces with Hebrew inscriptions, while others are decorated with reliefs and ornaments. The cemetery also includes an ohel, a structure marking the graves of prominent rabbis or members of a rabbinic family.

RESTORATION OF THE CEMETERY

For many years, the cemetery was neglected, overgrown, and inaccessible prior to the start of restoration efforts in 2005. Many headstones were damaged, tilted, or fallen. Consequently, the first phase of restoration began with clearing the site and making it accessible again.

Over the following years, new foundations were constructed, with numerous headstones straightened, reinforced, or reset into place. Restoration work also extended to gravestones inside the ohel. As part of the project, the site underwent thorough documentation: the Heritage Foundation for the Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries (HFPJC) photographed and cataloged the graves and tombstones. This effort led to the creation of a headstone database, photo gallery, and bilingual register in Hebrew and English (bardejov.org/matzevah-database).

In 2009, a new fence was built around the entire perimeter of the cemetery, replacing the original fencing made of concrete, metal, and brick. The new black wrought-iron fence is decorated with Star of David motifs.

Today, the cemetery is regularly maintained and represents an important place of Jewish history in Bardejov. The preserved gravestones remind us of generations of people who were part of the local Jewish community, while providing valuable testimony about its life and history.

The cemetery can be visited by appointment. The key to the grounds is held by a local caretaker, who opens the site for visitors upon request.

Address: Ľudovíta Štúra, 085 01 Bardejov 

Tel. contact: +421 908 040 421