The Jewish cemetery in Lesko

The largest Jewish cemetery was probably established in the first half of the 16^th century. It was enlarged many times and currently covers area of over 3 ha. Over 2,000 matzevot (Jewish grave stele) from the 16^th - 20^th century have survived there. The oldest part of the necropolis is situated on the slope of a forested hill and there are about 120 tombstones from the second half of the 16^th century and the first decades of the 17^th century. These are rectangular gravestones made of local sandstone, without decorations with inscriptions in a simple, archaic font. As the cemetery is located on a hill, in process of time most of these matzevot moved and they are no longer in their original places (they have slid down). The oldest of them commemorates Eliezer, son of Meszulam, who passed away on 9 tishri 5309, that is on 11.09.1548. The tombstones which are placed higher are already ornately decorated with symbolic decorations, e.g. crown, torah scrolls, candle holder, birds, deer, pitchers, lions and others. During the World War II, the cemetery was a place of execution of many Jews, i.a. the old and sick, who stayed in the city after liquidation of ghetto in Lesko (about 100 people), and people hiding in the forests nearby. In 1996 an obelisk commemorating the victims of the Holocaust was erected here.

The necropolis is entered on the list of monuments. Next to it runs the green trail to Zwierzyń.