There are 40 cemeteries in Warsaw. Some of them have been neglected and are facing total ruin. Others have a unique atmosphere and a number of historic tombs. Here is a guide to the most important cemeteries in Warsaw.

Powązkowski Cemetery, 14 Powązkowska St., tel. 838-55-25
To the average Varsovian, this is the oldest and most sacred of all cemeteries. It is noteworthy, however, that this was not the first burial ground in Warsaw. The Powązkowski Cemetery is a treasury of sculpture and architecture and the final resting place of the most prominent Poles. Here visitors can see the graves and catacombs of the historical leader Jan Kiliński, film director Krzysztof Kieślowski, writers Hugo Kołłątaj, Bolesław Prus, Marek Hłasko, Melchior Wańkowicz, Stefan Kisielewski and long-time guardian of Powązki's historic objects-Jerzy Waldorff. In 1925, the alley along the southern wall of the catacombs became the Lane of Honor, where the graves of important figures in Polish literature, including Władysław Reymont, Leopold Staff and Maria Dąbrowska, are located.

The cemetery contains outstanding works of Classicism, Art Noveau and contemporary art. Many graves scattered throughout the cemetery depict themes from ancient and Egyptian art. Guidebooks are a useful resource for visitors to the cemetery.


Military Cemetery, 43/45 Powązkowska St., tel. 633-21-40
This graveyard was established almost a century ago. During the partitions and World War I, it was a final resting place for Russian, German, Hungarian, Croat, Czech, Slovak and Polish soldiers. It acquired the status of a Military Cemetery in 1921. Participants in the November 1830 and January 1863 Uprisings, heroes of the 1920 Polish-Bolshevik war and others who died in defense of Poland's borders are also buried here as well as soldiers killed in September 1939 and Warsaw insurgents from 1944. After World War II, the communist authorities passed the cemetery on to the People's Army of Poland, transforming it into a municipal non-denominational cemetery. People buried in and near the Lane of Honor included representatives of the new authorities, high ranking military officials, scientists and cultural figures who earned recognition within the communist system. The Powązki Municipal Cemetery, as it was renamed, is home to the graves of Polish communist leaders-Bolesław Bierut, Julian Marchlewski and Władysław Gomułka. It is also the final resting place of writers and poets Julian Tuwim, Władysław Broniewski and Leon Kruczkowski.


Lutheran Cemetery, 54/58 Młynarska St., tel. 632-10-14
The Warsaw community of the Lutheran Church leased land to establish a cemetery in 1792. For many years, the community authorities accommodated other creeds without cemeteries of their own-one section was used by members of the Eastern Orthodox Church and another belonged to the Mahometan community. The cemetery is dominated by a chapel designed by Adolf Schuch.

The cemetery has been repeatedly extended and it is estimated that over 100,000 members of the Lutheran community of Warsaw are buried here. They include artists related to the court of King Stanisław August Poniatowski, Szymon Bogumił Zug and Jan Chrystian Kamsetzer, as well as the founder of the first candy factory in Warsaw, Emil Wedel. Another prominent figure buried at the cemetery is Samuel Bogumił Linde, author of the first Polish dictionary.


Roman Catholic Cemetery in Bródno, 83 Św. Wincentego St., tel. 679-25-55
The enormous cemetery in Bródno was opened in 1884 in response to a shortage of vacant burial plots. Initially, it was a graveyard for lower social classes, which settled in the capital during a period of rapid development in the mid-19th century. In time, representatives of upper classes were also buried in the cemetery. It is the final resting place of Cardinal Aleksander Kakowski and politician Roman Dmowski, to name a few.


Jewish Cemetery, 49/51 Okopowa St., tel. 838-26-22
After the completely devastated cemetery in Targówek, this is the second Warsaw cemetery which belongs to the Jewish community. The cemetery, situated at the end of Anielewicza Street, enjoyed a reputation as "elitist" among Jews of Warsaw. Those buried here were mainly members of prominent families, the wealthy and scholars. Notable individuals include Adam Czerniakow, leader of the Jewish Community in the Warsaw ghetto, Hipolit Wawelberg, who was one of the founders of the famous Warsaw Technological School, Ludwik Zamenhoff, creator of the Esperanto language, and Samuel Olgerbrand-publisher of the Universal Encyclopedia.


Tartaric Cemetery, 8 Tatarska St.
A view of the entire cemetery, which occupies half a hectare, is visible from the crescent gate. It was established in 1867 when the Muslim cemetery on Młynarska Street was closed. It was the burial ground of Russian soldiers of the Muslim faith, Polish Mahometans (including numerous Tartars) and representatives of other nationalities who died in the territory of Poland. Graves feature inscriptions in Polish, Turkish, Arabic and Russian.