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Old Jewish Cemetery: A Place of Remembrance

Explore the Old Jewish Cemetery in Riga, a memorial park that reflects the rich history and resilience of the Latvian Jewish community.

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The Old Jewish Cemetery in Riga, established in 1725, serves as a poignant reminder of the city's Jewish history. Once a mass burial site during the Holocaust, it is now a memorial park offering a serene space for reflection and remembrance.

A brief summary to Old Jewish Cemetery

Local tips

  • Take time to wander through the park and observe the memorial stones that commemorate the cemetery's history.
  • Reflect on the significance of the site within the broader context of Riga's Jewish history and the Holocaust.
  • Visit nearby attractions such as the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum to learn more about Jewish history in Latvia.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Riga city center, walk to the 'Rīgas Centrāltirgus' bus stop. Take Bus 22 or Bus 23 towards 'Imanta' or 'Daugavgrīva'. After approximately 20 minutes, disembark at the 'Līksnas iela' bus stop. From there, walk a short distance down Līksnas iela to find the Old Jewish Cemetery at Līksnas iela 1. A single 90-minute ticket costs €1.50.

  • Tram

    From the city center, head to the nearest tram stop, 'Rīgas Pasažieru Stacija' (Riga Passenger Station). Board Tram 7 or Tram 9 heading towards 'Mežaparks' or 'Daugavgrīva'. Ride for about 15 minutes and get off at the 'Nākotnes iela' stop. From the tram stop, walk approximately 10 minutes along Nākotnes iela, then turn left onto Līksnas iela. The Old Jewish Cemetery will be on your right at Līksnas iela 1. A single 90-minute ticket costs €1.50.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available in Riga. A taxi ride from the city center to the Old Jewish Cemetery will take approximately 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxi fares generally start around €2.50-€3.00, with a per kilometer price of approximately €0.70-€1.10. A 5km ride in Riga costs about 6 EUR. Mobile applications like Bolt are also widely used in Riga.

  • Walking

    From the Freedom Monument in the city center, head east on Brīvības iela, then turn left onto Tērbatas iela. Continue straight until you reach the intersection with Dzirnavu iela, then turn right. Walk along Dzirnavu iela, which will eventually become Līksnas iela. Continue straight for about 30 minutes, and you will arrive at Old Jewish Cemetery located at Līksnas iela 1.

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Discover more about Old Jewish Cemetery

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.

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