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2010-09-23

Matzevot discovered in Mielec

Old Jewish gravestones were discovered during renovation works on the marketplace in Mielec Old Town. The gravestones were sent to Jewish cemetery.

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Before the outbreak of the Second World War, 5.420 Jews inhabited Mielec. The city had a synagogue, two prayer houses and two cemeteries. In September 1939, German soldiers burned the synagogue and the prayer houses. Several dozen Jews were sent to labor camps in Biesiadka, Cyranka, Dębiaki. Others were imprisoned in the ghetto, and subsequently murdered in the Bełżec extermination camp. Only around 300 Jews from Mielec survived Holocaust.

Little cemetery on Jadernych street was devastated by the German as well. Matzevot made of hard stone were taken to the Third Reich, whereas the rest was used as curbstones, pavement and strengthening of the gutter. During thaw in March 1945, they were used to weight wooden bridge, which was about to break. However, the bridge did break and matzevot fell to the river Wisłoka. The other cemetery on Traugutta street was destroyed as well. On the surface of 0,3 acre, only 4 gravestones laying on the ground were preserved. Nowadays, both cemeteries are fenced. In both of them, there is a monument commemorating the murdered Jews.
 

The photographs of the matzevot are available here.

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