Obj. ID: 50293
Jewish Funerary Art Jewish cemetery in Krościenko nad Dunajcem, Poland
According to ESJF European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative, the Jewish cemetery in Krościenko is located on an escarpment on Sobieskiego Street. The cemetery was likely established in the 19th century and served as the burial place for Jews in nearby towns as well. During World War II, the cemetery was partially destroyed, and continued to deteriorate in the post-war years. Almost all tombstones have disappeared from the cemetery (the Nazis used some of the tombstones to build the floor of a warehouse for agricultural produce). In an area of 0.8 hectares, one tombstone has survived, which displays the name of Leopold Jehuda Krumholz – one of the richest inhabitants of Krościenko, who died on April 6, 1932.
There is also a mass grave in the cemetery from 1941-1942, as well as fragments of damaged tombstones and their foundations. The cemetery was neglected for several decades after the war. In 2018, thanks to the initiative and commitment of Dariusz Popiela, the cemetery was restored. A monument was erected displaying 256 names and surnames of Jewish inhabitants of the village, the mass graves were identified and secured, information and educational boards were placed, and the cemetery was fenced.
The cemetery is surrounded with a metal fence about 1.7 meters in height. Tombstones were removed from the site. Remaining and preserved fragments of tombstones have been subsequently placed near a monument at the site. The area is mostly covered with thick bushes. One tombstone has survived, access to which was impossible due to the excess vegetation. It is dated 1870.