First brigades and first tons of waste
The year 2013 is the beginning of a modern chapter of the Bothnian cemetery. The area was long neglected at the time, overgrown with flying wood and in many places covered with waste and debris.
Regular volunteer care has begun. This was not a cosmetic cleaning, but a physically demanding job: cleaning out old appliances, construction waste, branches, airplanes and burnt parts of the chapel.
Jaro-Summer 2013First systematic cleaning
The gradual passage of roads and the disposal of waste from places that have been virtually inaccessible for many years.
2013Tens of tonnes of waste
The first stages have meant carrying more than 30 tons of waste, rubble and unnecessary material.
2013Maintain atmosphere
The goal was not to turn the cemetery into a sterile park. Part of ivy and natural vegetation was left as part of the nature of the site.
The first year has shown that the cemetery can be saved - but it will not be a job for one part-time job for one season.The cemetery stops being a forgotten place.
After the first big cleaning, it was possible to reshow the cemetery to the public. The guided tours focused on history, the fates of the buried and the transformation of the campus began.
2014The first major guided tours
The cemetery began to attract visitors not only because of the mysterious atmosphere, but mainly because of its true history.
2014Mass for the victims of the First World War
A pithy reminder returned one of his original functions to the place: to be a space of memory and respect for the deceased.
The fight for a long-term solution begins
It was becoming increasingly clear that volunteering alone was not enough. Chapel, wall and other parts of the complex needed professional building interventions and especially a clear administrator.
The negotiations on the transfer of the cemetery to the public administration began so that it could be planned for long-term security, restoration and further care.
From 2015 onwardsNegotiations on the transfer
The process was gradually joined by state institutions, Psychiatric Hospital Bohnice, the capital city of Prague and the City of Prague 8.
The cemetery regains specific names
Restoration wasn't just physical. There was a parallel search of documents, names and stories of people who were buried in the cemetery.
2018Identification of 48 persons Italian nationality
The research work helped identify dozens of people of Italian nationality associated with war events and the Gods.
2018Next step to transfer
Prague 8 continued its efforts to obtain the premises for public administration.
Thousands of people already know the cemetery differently
The guided tours have become one of the main ways to introduce the public to a place without sensation or intimidation. By 2021, thousands of visitors went through them.
Until 2021More than 5,600 visitors
The guided tours have shown that the true story of the Bohnice Cemetery is a long-term interest.
The gate returns to a dignified form
After years of cleaning, negotiations and preparations, the first significant building intervention came to be visible to every visitor.
2023Reconstruction of the main gate and gate
The entrance part of the complex has undergone a complete repair and a cross has also returned to the main gate after years.
An architectural vision of the entire complex arises
The next stage did not deal with individual repairs separately. A concept has been prepared that understands the chapel, the mound, the cross, the historical paths, the wall and the greenery as one whole.
2024Revitalisation study
The design works with the preservation of the original atmosphere and with the restoration of the main historical dominant cemetery.
2024The crown above the chapel
For the reconstruction of the chapel there was a significant motif of open construction made of cortenic steel, which resembles a crown of thorns.
The chapel is approaching a real recovery.
After long years, when the chapel remained only a torsion after the fire, the construction work was prepared.
25. 7. 2025Building permission for chapel
One of the most important administrative steps opened the way to the implementation of the reconstruction.
This entry describes the situation before the chapel was completed.
2026 ReconstructionAfter decades, the chapel really changes.
The year 2026 is the most visible stage of the whole modern recovery. The chapel, which has been without roof for decades since the fire in 1989, is undergoing a real reconstruction.
2026Reconstruction of the chapel
Building security and renewal of the building with new architectural construction is ongoing.
17.–18. 9. 2026Planned guided tours
Visitors will be given the opportunity to learn the current state of the cemetery and the story of the ongoing restoration.
Next stagesWall, road, mound and cross
Reset the chapel is not over. Follow up have other parts of the historical site while maintaining its unique atmosphere.
From a place that once disappeared beneath the garbage and the greenery of flight, it becomes a monument with its own future.Updated · October 2026
The chapel is complete. Restoration continues.
The first big phase of revitalization brought the restoration of the cemetery chapel. The public was introduced on 1 October 2026. The open construction of cortenic steel resembles a crown of thorns and connects historical masonry with contemporary architecture.
Other projects include mound, cross, historical paths, greenery and cemetery walls.