by Alessandra Ressa
Tucked away on the gentle slopes near Rožna Dolina, just outside the center of Nova Gorica, Slovenia, lies a quiet and little-known site of historical and cultural significance: the Jewish cemetery of Nova Gorica. More than just a burial ground, this cemetery is one of the few remaining physical traces of the once-thriving Jewish community in the Gorizia region—a community that played a vital role in the cultural, economic, and social life of the area until it was shattered by the tragedies of the 20th century.
The cemetery was established in 1885, during a time when Gorizia (now divided between Italy and Slovenia) was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Jewish population of Gorizia, which had grown steadily since the 17th century, needed a new burial place as the older cemetery had reached capacity. Located just over the modern-day border in what is now Slovenia, the cemetery at Rožna Dolina became the final resting place for generations of Jewish families from the Gorizia area.
Today, the site lies within Slovenian territory, near the university and Nova Gorica’s modern urban landscape. Despite the dramatic political and territorial changes of the 20th century, the cemetery has endured—although much neglecyed – symbolizing a shared heritage between Italy and Slovenia.
The cemetery contains around 900 gravestones, many of them beautifully crafted with inscriptions in Hebrew, German, and Italian, reflecting the multilingual nature of the Jewish community. Among the most notable graves is that of Carlo Michelstaedter, a philosopher and poet from Gorizia who died tragically young in 1910. His presence draws scholars and visitors alike who are interested in his unique existential writings and contributions to early 20th-century thought.
Even though today the site is surrounded by busy intersecting roads, which literally stand above it, the funerary art, ranging from simple slabs to elaborate mausoleums, offers insights into the aesthetics, social status, and religious traditions of the deceased create a poignant atmosphere.
For many years after World War II, the cemetery fell into a state of abandonment, a result of shifting borders, the Holocaust, and the disappearance of the local Jewish population. However, in recent decades, efforts have been made to preserve and restore the site. The cemetery is now protected as a cultural monument under Slovenian law, and occasional restoration projects have helped to clean and document the gravestones.
Jewish organizations, local historians, and cross-border cultural initiatives have worked to ensure the cemetery is not completely forgotten. As part of Nova Gorica and Gorizia’s joint role as European Capital of Culture 2025, the cemetery is expected to feature in initiatives that promote shared history and intercultural dialogue.
Though not a major tourist destination, the Jewish cemetery of Nova Gorica is a powerful place to visit for those interested in history, memory, and the layered identities of Central Europe. It tells a story of coexistence and catastrophe, of lives lived across languages and empires, and of a community whose absence still resonates.
Access to the cemetery is generally open.
