Židovský hřbitov v Babčicích a kameník Isak Weil z Radenína (1812–1897)
The Jewish cemetery in Babčice and the stonemason Isaac Weil of Radenín (1812–1897)

Author(s): Iva Steinová
Subject(s): Cultural history, Jewish studies, Ethnohistory, 19th Century
Published by: Židovské Muzeum v Praze
Keywords: Babčice; Jews; cemetery; Isaac Weil of Radenín; 19th century;
Summary/Abstract: This paper presents a little-known Jewish cemetery in the village of Babčice (Babtschitz) in South Bohemia. In the sources, it is referred to as ‘Wosikowetz’, the German name for the nearby settlement of Osikovec. The cemetery is located at the very edge of the cadastral area of Babčice, next to a field path some distance away from any road. It was founded shortly after 1840. In addition to regular tombstones, it contains several grave markers that are notable for their artistic quality and remarkable iconography. The epitaph on the tombstone of the local rabbi Pinhas Blann (1865), in particular, provides information about the religious figures of the region. It is also interesting to note that the two grandparents of the prominent Czechoslovak politician Lev Winter (1876–1935) are buried here. Two elaborate tombstones in the cemetery were probably made by Isaac Weil (1812–1897), a stonemason from Radenín who was later active in Tábor. Weil is referred to as a stonemason (Steinmetzermeister) in a marriage license record from 1849. He is one of the first Jewish stonemasons in Bohemia to have been identified so far. Built in a characteristic masonry style that changed over time, his stone structures can be found across South Bohemia and adjacent areas.

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