S

Saint Lawrence Cemetery, Wrocław

Wroclaw, Poland

Saint Lawrence Cemetery Wrocław: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Sites Guide

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction

Saint Lawrence Cemetery (Cmentarz św. Wawrzyńca) in Wrocław stands as one of the city’s oldest and most culturally significant burial grounds. Established in the early 19th century, the cemetery is a living testament to Wrocław’s complex history and multicultural heritage. With its array of funerary art, neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture, and inscriptions in both German and Polish, Saint Lawrence Cemetery offers a unique glimpse into the city’s religious diversity and commemorative traditions. The cemetery’s serene green spaces and notable memorials to war victims and distinguished citizens further enhance its role as a site of remembrance and reflection.

For visitors interested in history, genealogy, architecture, or tranquil walks, Saint Lawrence Cemetery is both accessible and evocative. It is easily reachable by public transport, offers free admission, and periodically hosts guided tours and special events such as All Saints’ Day. This detailed guide provides essential information about visiting hours, etiquette, accessibility, tours, nearby attractions, and historical background to help you make the most of your visit.

For current updates and more detailed visitor information, consult the Wrocław tourism website and the Wroclawskiecmentarze.pl portal.

Table of Contents

Historical Origins and Cultural Significance

Saint Lawrence Cemetery was established in the early 19th century during Wrocław’s tenure as part of the Kingdom of Prussia. Named for Saint Lawrence, a third-century Christian martyr, the cemetery reflects Catholic traditions while also serving as a burial place for Protestant and Jewish residents, underscoring the city’s historic religious diversity (Wikipedia: Saint Lawrence; Catholic.org: Saint Lawrence).

This diversity is mirrored in the cemetery’s artistic and architectural variety, and in the multilingual inscriptions found throughout its grounds. The cemetery is closely linked to the neighboring Saint Lawrence Church, itself a historic monument, and together they form a vital center for local commemorative practices.


Architectural and Artistic Heritage

Saint Lawrence Cemetery encompasses a broad spectrum of funerary art and architecture.

  • Mausoleums and Tombstones: The oldest sections feature elaborate mausoleums and family tombs, adorned with ornate carvings and statuary, as well as modest headstones bearing religious iconography and inscriptions in both Polish and German.
  • Memorials: The cemetery is home to memorials for victims of World Wars I and II and the Silesian Uprisings, highlighting the city’s turbulent past.
  • Botanical Interest: Mature trees and rare shrubs make the cemetery a tranquil green space, with some species of botanical significance.

Impact of 20th-Century Events

The two World Wars and postwar border changes significantly shaped Saint Lawrence Cemetery. Many German-language inscriptions remain, bearing witness to Wrocław’s shifting national identities. After World War II, the cemetery adapted to serve the growing Polish community, and restoration efforts preserved key monuments. Today, the cemetery’s layered history is evident in its varied architecture and commemorative practices.


Visitor Information

Visiting Hours and Admission

  • April–October: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • November–March: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Public Holidays: Hours may vary; check ahead on the Wroclawskiecmentarze.pl portal.

Admission: Free. Donations for maintenance are welcome.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible paved paths throughout most of the cemetery.
  • Some older sections may feature uneven terrain.
  • For special assistance, contact the cemetery administration in advance.

Guided Tours and Special Events

  • Guided Tours: Offered seasonally by local heritage groups, focusing on history, art, and notable individuals. Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak periods (Wrocław Guide website).
  • Special Events: All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2) are major commemorative occasions, attracting thousands who illuminate the cemetery with candles.

Directions and Transportation

  • Location: Odona Bujwida Street, Sępolno district, Wrocław.
  • By Public Transport: Tram lines 4 and 10, plus several bus routes, stop nearby.
  • Parking: Limited street parking available; expect congestion during special events.

Photography and Conduct

  • Photography for personal use is permitted; please avoid photographing funerals or visitors without permission.
  • Maintain respectful behavior: speak softly, stay on paths, and do not disturb graves or memorials.
  • Pets are not permitted except for service animals.

Layout and Notable Features

Saint Lawrence Cemetery covers several hectares and is divided into distinct sections:

  • Historic Mausoleums: Intricately carved tombs and family chapels.
  • War Memorials: Graves and monuments for war victims and soldiers.
  • Jewish Section: A small area commemorating the city’s Jewish heritage.
  • Botanical Areas: Tree-lined avenues and green spaces for contemplation.

Maps and guides are available from the Tourist Information Centers.


Nearby Attractions

Combine your visit to the cemetery with other Wrocław landmarks:

  • Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia): A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Old Town Market Square: The heart of Wrocław’s historic district.
  • Ostrów Tumski: The city’s ancient cathedral island.
  • Wrocław University Botanical Garden: A peaceful retreat near the city center.

Preservation and Community Engagement

Saint Lawrence Cemetery is actively maintained by local heritage groups and city authorities. Community organizations lead documentation projects, clean-up days, and educational walks. These efforts ensure the site’s preservation as an open-air museum and a living monument to Wrocław’s multicultural history.

For more on preservation or to volunteer, consult the Wroclawskiecmentarze.pl portal.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is there an entrance fee?
A: No, entry is free. Donations for upkeep are appreciated.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: Yes, especially during major holidays and by arrangement with local cultural organizations.

Q: Is the cemetery accessible for visitors with disabilities?
A: Yes, most paths are wheelchair-friendly, but some older areas may be uneven.

Q: Can I take photographs?
A: Yes, for personal use. Please avoid photographing funerals or mourners.

Q: What are the best times to visit?
A: Weekday mornings are quietest; avoid All Saints’ Day if you prefer fewer crowds.

Q: Are pets allowed?
A: Only service animals are permitted and must be leashed.


Planning Your Visit

  • Before you go:
  • On-site:
    • Dress modestly.
    • Stay on marked paths.
    • Be respectful of ongoing services and other visitors.
    • Dispose of rubbish responsibly and support conservation efforts if possible.

References and Further Reading


Enjoy a meaningful and respectful visit to Saint Lawrence Cemetery in Wrocław—a place where history, culture, and remembrance come together. For ongoing updates, event news, and cultural insights, follow local heritage organizations and download the Audiala app for the best visitor experience.

Visit The Most Interesting Places In Wroclaw

4 Market Square In Wrocław
4 Market Square In Wrocław
45 Kazimierza Wielkiego Street In Wrocław
45 Kazimierza Wielkiego Street In Wrocław
48 Szewska Street, Wrocław
48 Szewska Street, Wrocław
49 Szewska Street, Wrocław
49 Szewska Street, Wrocław
A8 Autostrada
A8 Autostrada
Africarium
Africarium
Aleksander Fredro Monument In Wrocław
Aleksander Fredro Monument In Wrocław
|
  Archbishop'S Palace, Wrocław
| Archbishop'S Palace, Wrocław
Archdiocesan Museum In Wrocław
Archdiocesan Museum In Wrocław
Archiwum Państwowe We Wrocławiu
Archiwum Państwowe We Wrocławiu
Aula Leopoldina
Aula Leopoldina
Ballestrem Palace In Wrocław
Ballestrem Palace In Wrocław
|
  Barasch Brothers' Department Store
| Barasch Brothers' Department Store
Bastion Ceglarski, Wrocław
Bastion Ceglarski, Wrocław
Bear Fountain In Wrocław
Bear Fountain In Wrocław
Bengaluru
Bengaluru
Betsaal In The Israeli Hospital
Betsaal In The Israeli Hospital
Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills
Biskupin
Biskupin
Bojownikom O Wyzwolenie Narodowe I Społeczne
Bojownikom O Wyzwolenie Narodowe I Społeczne
Boleslaus I Monument In Wrocław
Boleslaus I Monument In Wrocław
Bulwar Marii I Lecha Kaczyńskich
Bulwar Marii I Lecha Kaczyńskich
Cemetery Of Polish Soldiers In Wrocław
Cemetery Of Polish Soldiers In Wrocław
Centennial Hall
Centennial Hall
Chaczkar
Chaczkar
Church Of Saint Adalbert In Wrocław
Church Of Saint Adalbert In Wrocław
Church Of St. Dorothea
Church Of St. Dorothea
Church Of St. Vincent
Church Of St. Vincent
City Museum Of Wrocław
City Museum Of Wrocław
Collegiate Church Of The Holy Cross And St. Bartholomew In Wrocław
Collegiate Church Of The Holy Cross And St. Bartholomew In Wrocław
Collegium Maximum In Wrocław
Collegium Maximum In Wrocław
Corpus Christi Church, Wrocław
Corpus Christi Church, Wrocław
Courtly Church In Wrocław
Courtly Church In Wrocław
Cupid On The Pegasus Monument
Cupid On The Pegasus Monument
Diana Monument In Wrocław
Diana Monument In Wrocław
Dominikański Square, Wrocław
Dominikański Square, Wrocław
Dworzec Wrocław
Dworzec Wrocław
Fencer Sculpture, Wrocław
Fencer Sculpture, Wrocław
Filharmonia Im. Witolda Lutosławskiego
Filharmonia Im. Witolda Lutosławskiego
Fontanna Alegoria Walki I Zwycięstwa
Fontanna Alegoria Walki I Zwycięstwa
Four Denominations District
Four Denominations District
Four Domes Pavilion, Wrocław
Four Domes Pavilion, Wrocław
Frederic Chopin Monument In Wrocław
Frederic Chopin Monument In Wrocław
Friedrich Schiller Monument In Wrocław
Friedrich Schiller Monument In Wrocław
General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University Of Land Forces
General Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University Of Land Forces
Grabiszyński Cemetery
Grabiszyński Cemetery
Grunwald Square
Grunwald Square
Grunwaldzki Bridge
Grunwaldzki Bridge
Hatzfeld Palace In Wrocław
Hatzfeld Palace In Wrocław
Historic Centre Of Wrocław
Historic Centre Of Wrocław
Hohenlohe Palace In Wrocław
Hohenlohe Palace In Wrocław
|
  Hollenders' Palace In Wrocław
| Hollenders' Palace In Wrocław
House Of The Griffins
House Of The Griffins
House Under The Golden Sun
House Under The Golden Sun
Hydropolis
Hydropolis
Iglica
Iglica
Ioannes Xxiii Monument In Wrocław
Ioannes Xxiii Monument In Wrocław
Japanese Garden In Wrocław
Japanese Garden In Wrocław
Jaz Psie Pole
Jaz Psie Pole
John Paul Ii Square, Wrocław
John Paul Ii Square, Wrocław
Karol Linneusz Monument In Wrocław
Karol Linneusz Monument In Wrocław
Katyń Monument In Wrocław
Katyń Monument In Wrocław
Kolejkowo
Kolejkowo
Leipziger Palace In Wrocław
Leipziger Palace In Wrocław
Leśnica Castle
Leśnica Castle
Lower Silesian Digital Library
Lower Silesian Digital Library
Lubomirski Museum
Lubomirski Museum
|
  Manor "Dworek Oporowski" In Wrocław
| Manor "Dworek Oporowski" In Wrocław
Maślice
Maślice
Mathematical Tower
Mathematical Tower
Mennicza Street
Mennicza Street
Milenijny Bridge
Milenijny Bridge
Monopol Hotel
Monopol Hotel
Monument Of John Of Nepomuk And Church Of The Holy Cross In Wrocław
Monument Of John Of Nepomuk And Church Of The Holy Cross In Wrocław
Museum Of Architecture, Wrocław
Museum Of Architecture, Wrocław
Museum Of Motorisation Topacz In Ślęza
Museum Of Motorisation Topacz In Ślęza
Museum Of Natural History At University Of Wrocław
Museum Of Natural History At University Of Wrocław
Museum Of The University Of Wrocław
Museum Of The University Of Wrocław
Muzeum Poczty I Telekomunikacji Wrocław
Muzeum Poczty I Telekomunikacji Wrocław
Nankiera Square, Wrocław
Nankiera Square, Wrocław
National Forum Of Music
National Forum Of Music
National Museum In Wrocław
National Museum In Wrocław
National Road 98
National Road 98
New Market Square In Wrocław
New Market Square In Wrocław
Nicolaus Copernicus Park
Nicolaus Copernicus Park
Northern Hydroelectric Plant In Wrocław
Northern Hydroelectric Plant In Wrocław
Ofiarom Stalinizmu
Ofiarom Stalinizmu
Oława Gate, Wrocław
Oława Gate, Wrocław
Oławska Street
Oławska Street
Ołbin Abbey
Ołbin Abbey
Old Jewish Cemetery
Old Jewish Cemetery
Ołtaszyn
Ołtaszyn
Olympic Stadium  In Wrocław
Olympic Stadium In Wrocław
Orthodox Cathedral Of The Nativity Of The Virgin Mary In Wrocław
Orthodox Cathedral Of The Nativity Of The Virgin Mary In Wrocław
Osobowice Cemetery
Osobowice Cemetery
Otto Von Bismarck Monument In Wrocław
Otto Von Bismarck Monument In Wrocław
Otwarte Muzeum Odry
Otwarte Muzeum Odry
Pałac Oppersdorfów
Pałac Oppersdorfów
Pawłowice Park, Palace And Folwark In Wrocław
Pawłowice Park, Palace And Folwark In Wrocław
Pentecostal Church In Wrocław
Pentecostal Church In Wrocław
Pergola In Wroclaw
Pergola In Wroclaw
Piaskowa Lock In Wrocław
Piaskowa Lock In Wrocław
Pilczyce-Kozanów-Popowice Północne
Pilczyce-Kozanów-Popowice Północne
Pillory In Wrocław
Pillory In Wrocław
Pionierów Wrocławskich Square, Wrocław
Pionierów Wrocławskich Square, Wrocław
Plac Ludwika Hirszfelda
Plac Ludwika Hirszfelda
Plac Teatralny We Wrocławiu
Plac Teatralny We Wrocławiu
Plac Wolności We Wrocławiu
Plac Wolności We Wrocławiu
Podwale Street In Wrocław
Podwale Street In Wrocław
Polish Theatre In Wrocław
Polish Theatre In Wrocław
Pomeranian Bridges
Pomeranian Bridges
Pomnik Pracowników Odrzańskiej Drogi Wodnej
Pomnik Pracowników Odrzańskiej Drogi Wodnej
Pomnik Zesłańców Sybiru We Wrocławiu
Pomnik Zesłańców Sybiru We Wrocławiu
Przedmieście Oławskie
Przedmieście Oławskie
Q16573607
Q16573607
Racławice Panorama
Racławice Panorama
Rędzin Weir In Wrocław
Rędzin Weir In Wrocław
Rędziński Bridge
Rędziński Bridge
Renoma
Renoma
Ruska Street
Ruska Street
Rybisch House, Wrocław
Rybisch House, Wrocław
Rynek
Rynek
Saint Augustinus Church In Wrocław
Saint Augustinus Church In Wrocław
|
  Saint Giles' Church
| Saint Giles' Church
Saint Lawrence Cemetery, Wrocław
Saint Lawrence Cemetery, Wrocław
Saint Maria Of The Sand
Saint Maria Of The Sand
Saints Cyril And Methodius Church In Wrocław
Saints Cyril And Methodius Church In Wrocław
Salzring
Salzring
Schaffgotsch Palace In Wrocław
Schaffgotsch Palace In Wrocław
Silesian Museum Of Fine Arts
Silesian Museum Of Fine Arts
Sky Tower
Sky Tower
Soviet Officers Cemetery In Wrocław
Soviet Officers Cemetery In Wrocław
Space Research Centre Of Polish Academy Of Sciences
Space Research Centre Of Polish Academy Of Sciences
St. Christopher Church In Wrocław
St. Christopher Church In Wrocław
|
  St. Elizabeth'S Church
| St. Elizabeth'S Church
|
  St. Martin'S Church In Wrocław
| St. Martin'S Church In Wrocław
St Mary Magdalene Church, Wrocław
St Mary Magdalene Church, Wrocław
Stablowice
Stablowice
Stadion Miejski
Stadion Miejski
Stadion Oporowska
Stadion Oporowska
Statue Of John Of Nepomuk
Statue Of John Of Nepomuk
|
  Stolbergs' Palace In Wrocław
| Stolbergs' Palace In Wrocław
Stwosza Street
Stwosza Street
Świętego Mikołaja Street
Świętego Mikołaja Street
Szczytnicki Park
Szczytnicki Park
Taschenbastion
Taschenbastion
Teatr Muzyczny Capitol
Teatr Muzyczny Capitol
Trasa W-Z
Trasa W-Z
Tumski Bridge
Tumski Bridge
University Church Of The Blessed Name Of Jesus In Wrocław
University Church Of The Blessed Name Of Jesus In Wrocław
University Of Physical Education In Wrocław
University Of Physical Education In Wrocław
University Of Wrocław
University Of Wrocław
University Square
University Square
Upa Victims Monument In Wrocław
Upa Victims Monument In Wrocław
Wallenberg-Pachaly Palace In Wrocław
Wallenberg-Pachaly Palace In Wrocław
White Stork Synagogue
White Stork Synagogue
Włodkowica Street
Włodkowica Street
Workplace And House Exhibition
Workplace And House Exhibition
Wrocław
Wrocław
Wrocław – Copernicus Airport
Wrocław – Copernicus Airport
Wrocław Brochów
Wrocław Brochów
Wrocław Cathedral
Wrocław Cathedral
Wroclaw Contemporary Museum
Wroclaw Contemporary Museum
Wroclaw Feature Film Studio
Wroclaw Feature Film Studio
Wrocław Główny
Wrocław Główny
Wroclaw Hydroelectric Power Plant
Wroclaw Hydroelectric Power Plant
Wrocław Market Hall
Wrocław Market Hall
Wrocław Medical University
Wrocław Medical University
Wrocław Muchobór
Wrocław Muchobór
Wrocław Multimedia Fountain
Wrocław Multimedia Fountain
Wrocław New Jewish Cemetery
Wrocław New Jewish Cemetery
Wrocław New Town Hall
Wrocław New Town Hall
Wrocław Old Town
Wrocław Old Town
Wrocław Opera
Wrocław Opera
Wrocław Palace
Wrocław Palace
Wrocław Popowice
Wrocław Popowice
Wrocław Puppet Theater
Wrocław Puppet Theater
Wrocław South Park
Wrocław South Park
Wrocław Świebodzki
Wrocław Świebodzki
Wrocław Town Hall
Wrocław Town Hall
Wrocław University Botanical Garden
Wrocław University Botanical Garden
Wrocław University Library
Wrocław University Library
Wrocław University Of Environmental And Life Sciences
Wrocław University Of Environmental And Life Sciences
Wrocław University Of Science And Technology
Wrocław University Of Science And Technology
Wrocław Water Tower
Wrocław Water Tower
Wrocław Zoological Garden
Wrocław Zoological Garden
Wrocławski Teatr Współczesny
Wrocławski Teatr Współczesny
Wyższa Szkoła Filologiczna
Wyższa Szkoła Filologiczna
Zacisze, Wrocław
Zacisze, Wrocław
Zülzer Synagogue
Zülzer Synagogue
Zwierzyniecka Footbridge
Zwierzyniecka Footbridge
Zwierzyniecki Bridge
Zwierzyniecki Bridge