Many a time have I heard about a Jewish cemetery that is hidden near the place where I live. Recently I decided to find it and uncover its history.
First records of this place can be found as early as in 15th century when it belonged to a small settlement. Later it was invaded by Prussians, French and Russians. It survived through both World Wars and German occupation. It was destroyed and restored countless times.
The cemetery is hidden among residential buildings, on a hill. From afar it looks like a park or a kind of a small forest. A narrow road ends near the black entrance gate and you have to follow a short path to enter the cemetery.
As soon as I entered I felt the eerie atmosphere of this place. Everything was so calm and you could only hear leaves rustling in the wind. The serenity of the surroundings was calming but unsettling. Maybe because in the back of my head I knew that I was stepping on the burial ground that survived for many centuries.
I could see the omnipresent signs of passing time, but the place was tidy and well kept. Surprisingly, the vegetation there was full of life. Going further down the hill there was a small building built for watchmen in 19th century. It suffered many arson attacks but its overall structure survived.
Allow me to guide you through the place where time has stopped.
