“Nespěcháš-li” the inscription reads a poignant invitation etched in stone. It urges us to pause at Motolský hřbitov. We should spare a moment for those who never lived to see freedom. They died for you and for us.
Motolský hřbitov isn’t just a final resting place. It is a place of reflection. This forest cemetery in Prague 5 offers solace and remembrance.
In the 1950s, alongside the Motol crematorium, this cemetery emerged. Architect Josef Karel Říha designed both. His vision was a wooded sanctuary.
The cemetery covers 12 hectares. It is a part of the Košíře-Motol Nature Park. Motolský potok stream meanders through it adding to its tranquility.
Here lie prominent figures. The writer and traveler Alberto Vojtěch Frič rests here. The actress Stella Zázvorková is also buried here. František Kriegel a doctor and politician found his final resting place here too. Věra Galatíková Ota Sklenčka Nina Popelíková and Vlastimil Hála are other famous people buried at Motolský hřbitov.
Motolský hřbitov features a memorial to the victims of communism. In the 1990s, it was built to honor those secretly buried. Victims of the regime were often placed in mass graves here. A document revealed that ashes of executed political prisoners were stored here. This led to the creation of this memorial in Motolský hřbitov.
The memorial serves as a stark reminder. It reminds us of the cost of freedom. It stands as a tribute to those who sacrificed everything.
The Motolský hřbitov offers various options for laying ashes to rest. There is a columbarium for urn storage. There is also a lawn for scattering ashes. A special meadow exists for placing ashes with a stone epitaph.
The Motol crematorium is near Motolský hřbitov. It provides a space for funeral ceremonies. The building has an obřadní síň ceremonial hall.
As you wander through Motolský hřbitov take a moment. Reflect on the lives and stories etched in stone. Consider the sacrifices made for freedom. Remember the beauty and peace found even in death.