Vojenský hřbitov (Pacov) Cemetery

Welcome to this quiet and thoughtful place. Right now, you're standing in front of a military cemetery located in a quiet forest area, just a short piece southeast of the city of Pacov. Before you take the next step, stop for a moment and observe the surrounding environment. You are surrounded by dense forest vegetation, which creates a natural and quiet space here, which seems to be perfectly compatible with nature. Notice how this space is different from the surrounding forest. It is clearly defined, it has its rectangular plan and it is completely fenced, which creates a line between the common forest area and this sacred place that is now in front of you. This border separates us from the daily rush and prepares us for a meeting with history.

Let us now look together at why this place is so important and what a tragic event has left its mark. In order to understand the meaning of this cemetery, we must return to the time of the Second World War, that is, between the year one thousand nine hundred thirty-nine and one thousand nine, forty-five. At this time, when the world was in the greatest chaos, a prison camp was established near this place. This place, which you see today as a quiet and relaxing area, was then built as a burial ground for the captured German soldiers who lived in this camp.

Now pay attention to what happened here within these forest borders. The history of this place is not the history of heroic fighting on the battlefield, but the history of silent and invisible fighting for life. Many men here have not buried the consequences of direct clashes, but a relentless typhus epidemic. The disease that hit the prisoners at the time was extremely destructive and fast. Imagine the despair and fear that must have prevailed in the camp. It is this disease that has taken the lives of hundreds of people and that is why this place has become their last home.

Now, if you look all over the premises, you should be aware of its scope. This area has an area of approximately 1,000 300 square meters. Although it may seem like a smaller place, his weight is huge. In this rectangle, two hundred and eighty-four men are buried. Each of these two hundred and eighty-four names represents one lost life, one unlived story and one family who lost their loved one in these difficult times. It is important to see this space not just as a piece of land, but as a place where human tragedy is concentrated.

Now I want to take you on a journey through time to understand how the view of this place changed over the decades. After the end of the war in a thousand and nine hundred forty pămeti, there was a fundamental change. The camp was cancelled and the military started using this space. For many years, from about a thousand to nine hundred fifty until the end of the 1990s, there was no peace that you now feel. This land served as a military training ground. Imagine the huge contrast. Instead of the silence of the forest and the memories there was the sound of exercise, the movement of troops and discipline.

But that was not the end of change. At a certain time, this space was used for other purposes, which appear to be almost incompatible with the sacred character of the cemetery. The site became an area for motocross races. Imagine the noise of the engines, the dust rising from the track and the viewers who were here in the past. This era, when racing motorbikes in the field, was quite different from today's quiet drinking spot. This space has undergone an incredible transformation from the burial ground to the military training ground and the racetrack, to today's form.

But after a year of a thousand nine hundred and ninety, the situation changed again for the better. People realized that this place had its historical value and that it must not be forgotten. This area was officially declared a cultural monument. He's been looking after him ever since with the respect he deserves. Today, the city of Pacov is taking care of this piety site in cooperation with the German association, which takes care of the monuments. This cooperation is very important because it shows that, despite a painful and complicated history, we can work together to preserve our memory and not forget the human destinies that have ended here.

Now I want to invite you to go through this space on your own. Take a look at the perimeter of this rectangular area, see the atmosphere of the forest, and try to imagine in your mind the two hundred and eighty-four men who rest here. Let yourself be consumed by the history that is felt in every piece of this protected monument. It's a place that requires silence and respect.

Thank you for visiting this military cemetery and for paying attention to those left behind. We wish you a peaceful walk through the forest and other interesting experiences in exploring the history of our region. You can now continue your journey on your own travels. Goodbye.