Legnica New (Wroclawska) Jewish Cemetery
Cemetery Information
Country
Poland
Region
Lower Silesia Region
District
Legnica
Settlement
Legnica
Site address
196, Wrocławska Street, Noth-East from the intersection with Cmentarna Street.
GPS coordinates
51.210583, 16.183083
Perimeter length
425 meters
Is the cemetery demolished
no
Type and height of existing fence
There’s an iron fence approximately 1,5 meters high. The fence needs significant repair.
Preservation condition
Fenced and protected Jewish cemetery
General site condition
It is a large well kept cemetery with 300+ matzevot. The entire cemetery area occupies the corner of a main road in Legnica. The cemetery is cared for but suffers from overgrowth and needs some urgent repairs, particularly to the fence and beith-tahara which is in a perilous condition. The cemetery is fenced, however there are significant gaps which leave it vulnerable.
Number of existing gravestones
More 300 tombstones. The matzevot are cross-generational ranging from the middle 19th century until the current day. Most are written in German (as the town was German) and later ranges are a mixture of Hebrew and Polish. The earlier matzevot are constructed of Silesian sandstone, whilst the later 19th century and early 20th century are usually made of black polished granite. There is several family graves and some fragments. Interestingly, the cemetery continues to be used by the local community.
Date of oldest tombstone
1862
Date of newest tombstone
2021
Urgency of erecting a fence
Low
Land ownership
Municipality
Preserved construction on site
Beit-tahara.
Drone surveys
No
Historical overview
The cemetery at the current Wroclawska street was established in 1838 as a separate city cemetery. The mortuary house built by efforts of Rabbi Landsberg operated from October 1, 1887 to the Nazis occupation. The land was donated by the richest member of the Jewish community, banker Rafael Prausnitz and officially consecrated by the most eminent of Legnica rabbis, Dr Samter. The cemetery connects two most characteristic features of the Legnica Jewish community - tradition and liberalism. The traditional shape and matseva inscriptions were erected in two long rows. Running along the main alley are the graves of the kahal (leaders of the community) and on the other side are monuments typical of late 19th and early 20th century religious sculpture testifying to the acculturation of Legnica Jews and their integration into the local society. The cemetery is a rare, one surviving almost untouched. The cemetery is fenced with a gate.
