In my previous blog post, I discussed the Synagogues of Bukhara so it’s logical for me to cover another Jewish landmark in Bukhara that is the Jewish Cemetery. This is the second time that I am visiting a Jewish cemetery with the first one being the Jewish Cemetery in Kolkata. Unlike the one in Kolkata which has been very beautifully restored the one in Bukhara has recently seen some facelift and hopefully in the near future will be completely restored.
Jewish Cemetery Of Bukhara
A rough estimate puts the number of graves and tombs in the cemetery at around 10,000. However, most of them do not have a tombstone, and can only be understood that it’s a grave by looking at the rough rectangular structure on the ground. Some date this cemetery to around 1250 years old, roughly from the time Jews started settling in Central Asia, especially in Bukhara. While some put the date to around a century back with no official recorded date this seems more logical.
There are two gates to the cemetery, the main gate has a very well-maintained gate with a dome which also acts as an office space for the cemetery. The back gate is on the opposite side of the main gate.
Visiting this cemetery was a double bonus for me considering that this cemetery also houses a memorial to the Jewish members of the society who had fought during WWII and had died. During the war, a huge contingent of the Jews of Bukhara got enlisted and many lost their lives, the names of the dead are forever etched in the wall of the memorial.
This cemetery has a mix of both new and old tombs and graves. While the new ones are elaborate with large tombstones etched with the image of the loved one the older ones are just a square section with a small piece of broken stone slab on them. I have seen some old tombs from their dates renovated with lavish tombstones which is very common in Uzbekistan and have also seen that in Tashkent Cemetery.
With the recent influx of foreign funds as well as funds from the local governor of Bukhara the cemetery especially the old graves have been restored. When I was there, I saw restoration work ongoing with men restoring old graves.
On one side of the cemetery there is a covered rest house, this I am assuming is used during a funeral when the deceased is kept for mourners to come and pay their respect.
Another interesting structure is the covered well which has staircases to go down to access the water.
This is not a ticketed place and one can simply roam around. However, the local officials may request some donations which is not compulsory but if you feel you can just put some local currency in the donation box. This cemetery is located very close to the other new synagogue in the Jewish quarters which can be reached on foot from here.
Location Of Jewish Cemetery Of Bukhara On Map
Vlog On The Jewish Cemetery Of Bukhara
Others Blogs On Bukhara
Zindon Prison Bukhara
Ark Of Bukhara
Poi Kalon Complex
Chor Minor
Sitorai Mokhi Khosa Palace
Chor Bakr
Synagogues In Bukhara