Cehu Silvaniei

From World travel guide

Downtown Mendoza.jpg Cehu Silvaniei (Template:Lang-hu) is a town in Sălaj county, Transylvania, Romania.

History of the town

Jewish cemetery

The Jewish cemetery is located at Cehu Silvaniei, Cloşca Str. no. 8, Sălaj County, 249.1 miles NNW of Bucharest and 34 km from Zalău.

The 1850 Jewish population by census was 63, in 1857 was 66, in 1880 was 206, in 1900 was 369, in 1910 was 517, and in 1930 was 551. In May 1944, the Jews were gathered in the "ghetto (of Nazis)" made into Cehu Silvaniei, then in that from Şimleu Silvaniei and on May 31, June 6, 8 they were deported to Auschwitz. The unlandmarked Orthodox cemetery was established in 19th century. The last known burial was in the 20th century.

The isolated suburban flat land has no sign or marker. Reached via private road, access is open with permission. A fence with a gate that locks surrounds the site. Approximate 1-20 stones are visible, some not in original location with 25%-50% of the stones being toppled or broken. The location of the stones that have been removed from the cemetery is unknown. Vegetation overgrowth in the cemetery is a seasonal problem preventing access. Water drainage is good all year. There are no special sections.

The oldest known gravestone dates from 19th century. The 19th and 20th century marble, granite, sandstone, and limestone boulders, flat and shaped, smoothed and inscribed, carved relief decorated gravestones have Hebrew inscriptions. Some have traces of painting on their surfaces. No known mass graves. The national Jewish community owns the property used for Jewish cemetery only. Adjacent properties are residential. The cemetery maintenance worked on the re-erection of stones, patching broken stones, cleaning stones, and clearing vegetation. Current care involves occasional clearing or cleaning of the cemetery by unpaid individuals. There are no structures.

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