Old Jewish Cemetery, Riga Travel Guide

The Old Jewish Cemetery, located in Riga's Latgale Suburb, stands as a testament to the Latvian Jewish community's history. Established in 1725, it was the first Jewish cemetery in Riga, providing a burial ground when Jews were prohibited from being buried within the city limits. Before its establishment, bodies were transported to Jelgava, over 40km away.During the Nazi occupation of Riga in 1941, the cemetery became a mass burial site for over 1,000 Jews killed in the Riga Ghetto. Approximately 2,000 Jews were buried here during the existence of the Riga Ghetto. After World War II, the cemetery was desecrated; tombstones were stolen, and the walls were demolished. In 1960, under Soviet control, the cemetery was transformed into the Park of the Communist Brigades, erasing its Jewish identity.In 1990, the park was renamed the Old Jewish Cemetery. Today, it serves as a memorial park, marked by memorial stones, including one with the Star of David, commemorating the site's history and the lives lost. The park offers a tranquil atmosphere for visitors to reflect on the past and honor the memory of those who were buried there.