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The Jewish cemetery in Lutowiska (kirkut) has over 1,000 gravestones. The first matzevot were erected in the 18th century. The oldest gravestone found bears the date 5 December 1796, and the youngest – 29 February 1940.

A matzeva – a traditional Jewish gravestone – is a vertical stone slab, usually erected on the first anniversary of death. Initially, matzevot were devoid of decorations; it was not until 1829 that reliefs began to appear on the stones.

Floral motifs appear on most matzevot. Floral motifs are purely ornamental.

Animals. Deer, lions and birds are the most common motifs. A single lion, either alone or in combination with other elements, is found only on male gravestones. The deer is also a symbol reserved for men. Birds appear exclusively on female gravestones.

Candlestick. It appears only on female gravestones. This symbol was attributed to women because of their liturgical duty to light candles at the beginning of the Sabbath.

Torah scrolls appear on male gravestones and are supposed to testify to the deceased’s knowledge of the Torah and erudition.

The wardrobe is supposed to testify to the education of the buried person. Two wardrobes are depicted on the gravestones in Lutowiska. The wardrobe most often contained the Pentateuch.

The jug symbolises the Levites, men from the tribe of Levi, whom God entrusted with the special task of caring for the Tabernacle and the Temple.

Crown. There are three crowns of the Torah, the crown of priesthood, and the crown of good name is above them. The crown on the gravestones, with a semicircular closed top, resembles the liturgical headdress of a priest.

The Star of David appears only on both columns and in the field of reliefs. The Star of David is a very old symbol, considered magical in ancient times. In the 18th century, it became accepted as a symbol of Israel.

If you see flat stones between the matzevot, know that they are a sign of remembrance and respect for the deceased, left by Jews visiting the cemetery.