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| Jewish cemetery |
Jewish cemetery in Slatina is located approximately 1km, north from the village square, in the wood, west from the road to village Chanovice and Bezděkov. With dimensions of 58 x 28 metres is covers area of 1624 square metres. From its surrounding, it is divided by 2 metres high stone wall, already largely destroyed.
The cemetery presents a place of rest of many generations of Jews, from Slatina and wide surrondings, to whom belonged significant personalities, representatives of community and clerkish rabbis. Jews from Slatina and surrounding were buried here since the year 1668. Yet in March 9, 1723 the then owner of Slatina, Ferdinand Kunáš from Machovice, permited to Jews in Slatina establishing of the Jewish cemetery. Based on the establishment deed, the Jewish cemetery had dimensions of approx. 15 x 15 metres. Jews pledged to pay for this plot 50 rýnských zlatých (rhine gold coins) and at their own expenses enclose the cemetery by stone wall. Jews were also obligated to pay to Kunáš for every dead body 45 kreutzers, for body of stranger one rhine gold coin. If body of child under 1 year, 25 kreutzers and if child from one to three years of age, 45 kreutzers.
Because of space deficiency the Jewish cemetery was enlarged to nowadays 58 x 28 metres. There was built a new stone wall and placed a Hebrew sign: "BAIS MOUEVITS L`CHOLCHAI. KHI UFOR ATHU VAEL UFOR THOŠUF" (i.e., The house of meeting all living. From dust you came and in dust you shall return) above the entrance. Nowadays there are preserved about 172 tombstones of baroque and classicism style. The tombstones (Macevot in Hebrew) are of two types. The granite ones are commonly simple without ornaments. Now they are hardly readable. The second group is represented by a lime stela, with an arch and a floral motive of a folk art character.
Burial of dead body into the ground is one of the basic rules of Judaism and to a place, where lies remains of ancestors, is on the basis of Jewish religious traditions necessary to show extraordinary respect. There are forbidden any improper acts (including eating and drinking, entry with animals etc.). Immense meaning has a Talmudic commandment according to which should be to dead, warranted inviolability of their graves for ever. Observance of this order, designates up to the present day, special character of Jewish cemeteries and their inimitable atmosphere. Today oldest legible tombstone is from the half of 18th century.
Burials were held on at the sunset. Dead person rested on an open hearse in a simple case similar to coffin. Grave has been often lined with nonplaned wood planks. There were no wreaths and flowers. Praiseful burial speechs were delivered by rabbi only to a notable persons of community, who deserved about faith or community. Based on traditions, head of buried person should have been oriented eastwards, to Jerusalem, from where resurrection will come. This tradition wasn't observed on the Jewish cemetery in Slatina. Last burial took place here in the year 1937. Fotogallery: 
 
Virtual plan of the Jewish cemetery in Slatina (as of 7/31/2008):  |