History of the Cemetery
The cemetery existed until the mid-20th century, but a significant part of it was destroyed in the post-war years. Before World War II, representatives of one of the largest Jewish communities in Belarus were buried here, and the cemetery itself played an important role in the cultural and religious life of the city. However, after the Holocaust and the mass extermination of Minsk’s Jewish population, the necropolis lost its original significance, and over time, its territory began to shrink. During the Soviet period, most of the cemetery was demolished, and residential and industrial buildings were constructed in its place.
Despite the destruction, several dozen tombstones—matzevot—dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved on the cemetery grounds. These stone slabs with inscriptions in Hebrew and traditional Jewish symbols are valuable historical artifacts. Many tourists visit this site to see the preserved tombstones and learn more about the lives of Jews in Minsk in past centuries.
There are also memorial markers here, installed in memory of the thousands of Minsk Jews who perished during the Holocaust. This place serves as a reminder of the tragic pages of the city’s history and all of Belarus.
Excursions with a Visit to the Jewish Cemetery
The cemetery on Kollektornaya Street is not just a historical necropolis but a symbol of the Jewish heritage of Minsk. It is linked to the fate of the Minsk Ghetto and the brutal events of World War II, during which tens of thousands of Jews were exterminated in the city. Excursions to this site provide a deeper understanding of the Holocaust tragedy and the contribution of the Jewish community to the development of the Belarusian capital.
Commemorative events dedicated to the victims of Nazism are also held here, and researchers and local historians continue to study the surviving tombstones and archival documents to restore the names of those buried in this place.
Visitors can explore the Jewish Cemetery on Kollektornaya as part of an individual tour of Minsk Shot Stars - The Tragedy of the Holocaust, choosing a convenient date and time. The Jewish Cemetery on Kollektornaya Street is an important place of remembrance that is worth visiting to gain a better understanding of the history of Minsk and the Jewish community of Belarus.
