Vrbovec Jewish Cemetery

There is very little available information on the small Jewish community of Vrbovec in Zagreb County, mostly the scant statistical data. The Jewish presence in Vrbovec started not later than 1820/1820, when one Jewish family (that of Martin Grunhut with 5 family members) was listed in the town. In 1857 there were already 29 Jews in the municipality (općina) of Vrbovec. The number of Jews grew to 38 in 1870 and 41 in 1880. However, this modest number included also Jews residenting in the surrounding villages. Out of 41 Jews – residents of the Vrbovec municipality in 1880, 22 were registered in Vrbovec itself, and the rest – in the villages of Mala Lovrečina, Gradec, Lojnica and Rakovec. By 1890, the Jewish population of Vrbovec municipality reached its peak of 56 (Vrbovec itself – 17).

Most probably local Jewish community never was independent; according to “Pinkas Kehilot Yugoslavia” (Yad Vashem), it was subordinate to nearby Križevci community and possibly used its religious and social institutions. There is no available information about the synagogue or rabbi in Vrbovec. However, since at least late 19th (and possibly since 1858) the community had its own cemetery.

The Jewish population of Vrbovec town peaked in 1910 (34 people) and then slowly declined (24 in 1921 and 18 in 1931). According to various sources, 22 or 29 Jews from Vrbovec died during the Holocaust, most of them in 1942. After World War II, there were no Jews in Vrbovec.

Jewish cemetery already existed in late 19th century. The site is indicated on 1899 cadastral map as a cemetery with a masonry structure – probably, a beit taharah, ceremonial hall or keeper’s house. The ESJF field survey confirmed the location of Jewish cemetery with local people. According to them, the cemetery was abandoned and destroyed after WWII and the tombstones were used by the locals for household needs and for building a railway storage.

It is possible that in mid-19th cemetery another place used to be a Jewish cemetery – as it is indicated on 1858 cadastral map (45.88739, 16.42407, Gradecka Street). It is unclear whether this place was really used as a cemetery. The site is overbuilt today.