2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών

In 1834, Athens designated its First Cemetery. A special section within this cemetery, the 2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών, was later established for the city’s Jewish community. This community had previously buried their loved ones near the Church of Agios Lazaros. The oldest marked grave in the 2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών dates back to 1844. As the Jewish population grew, so did the need for burial space. In 1864, additional land adjacent to the First Cemetery was allocated for Jewish burials. Then, in 1884, a Royal Decree granted a portion of the existing Turkish cemetery to further expand the 2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών. By 1910, with the Turkish population diminished, the entire Turkish section became part of the Jewish cemetery. Philanthropy also played a role in the cemetery’s development. In 1916, Abraham Constantinides, a president of the Jewish Community of Athens, donated land. Later, in 1920, Mayor Sp. Patsis donated an additional 700 square meters. Notable figures rest within the 2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών. Among them is Karolos Rothschild, the first president of the Jewish Community of Athens. He was the son of banker Max de Rothschild and a financial advisor to King Otto. Poet and scholar Joseph Eliya from Ioannina, and Minos S. Constantinides, a founder of the “MISCO” pasta factory, are also buried here. By 1959, space in the 2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών was exhausted, halting further burials. An exception was made for members of the Mino Matsas family, of the “MINOS EMI” record company. They used a family tomb from 1964 to 1970. Margarita Matsas joined them in 2012. Today, the 2ο Νεκροταφείο Αθηνών is a preserved museum space, a poignant reminder of Athens’ Jewish history.