A reminder of the centuries-old presence of the Jewish population in Olkusz are two cemeteries. The oldest matzevot in them date back to the 17th century. The earliest mention of thetion of the Jewish presence in Olkusz dates back to 1317. Olkusz Jews were engaged in crafts and trade, but they also had shares in Olkusz's lead and silver ore mines and actively participated in the trade of these ores. By the end of the 19th century, Jews made up 60 percent of Olkusz's population. During the occupation, a ghetto was established in Olkusz, the final liquidation of which began on June 9, 1942. Thus ended the several-hundred-year history of the Jewish diaspora in Olkusz. During World War II Olkusz County lost about 18,000 residents, more than 90 percent of whom were Polish Jews. The earliest mention of a Jewish cemetery in Olkusz dates back to 1584. The cemetery was located in the Sławkowski suburb, i.e. on today's Kolorowa Street. During World War II the cemetery was destroyed by the Germans, who dug an anti-tank ditch through the middle of it, and most of the matzevot and tumuli were taken away. The oldest matzevot of this cemetery date back to the early 17th century. In recent years, through the efforts of the Olkusz authorities, the cemetery has been cleaned up. Several dozen preserved tombstones have been arranged in several rows. The second Jewish cemetery in Olkusz is located on Jana Kantego Street. The cemetery was established at the beginning of the 20th century and was destroyed during the occupation and in the post-war period. Currently there are about two hundred preserved tombstones and their fragments. In recent years, through the efforts of the Olkusz authorities, some of them have been restored, and the cemetery has been partially fenced.
24.07.2014
