Prague 8 has begun the reconstruction of the chapel at the so-called cemetery of the madmen in Bohnice

Prague - The Prague 8 City Hall today launched the reconstruction of the chapel at the Bohnice institutional cemetery, which is the first phase of the planned revitalization of the entire area. An exhibition on the history of the cemetery will be created in the chapel, and the space will also serve for commemorative and educational events. It is expected to be completed before the summer holidays next year. The cost of the work is 8.2 million crowns excluding VAT. After the chapel is finished, the city district intends to continue with the restoration of paths, the cemetery wall, the mound, and the installation of a new cross. Representatives of Prague 8 presented this to journalists today during a ceremonial laying of the foundation stone.

The owner of the dilapidated cemetery is the capital city, which has entrusted its management to Prague 8. The cemetery originally belonged to the Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital and was where the deceased mentally ill were buried.

The architectural design of the chapel was developed by the OHA architects studio. The remains of the chapel walls will be reinforced and supplemented with missing parts. The original wooden roof will be replaced with a steel structure resembling a crown of thorns, symbolizing pain and hope. The roof will be open, symbolizing vulnerability. Inside the chapel, a permanent exhibition will be created that will present the history of the cemetery and the stories of the people buried in the area. The exhibition will trace specific human destinies as well as legends associated with the place and serve as a space for quiet remembrance, intimate commemorative, and educational events. According to the city hall, the contractor has approximately seven months to complete the work, so the chapel should be finished before the summer holidays of 2026.

After the completion of the chapel, the city hall plans to continue with further phases of revitalization, which include repairing pedestrian paths, reconstructing the cemetery wall, restoring the mound, and installing a new cross. "Our goal is clear - to gradually restore the entire area and make it accessible so that people are aware of its history and appreciate those who rest here. At the same time, we do not want to disrupt its unique atmosphere. Every intervention must be respectful and humble," said the deputy mayor of the city district, Radomír Nepil (ANO). The project documentation for the paths and wall is expected to be ready by spring next year.

The cemetery area, commonly referred to as the cemetery of the insane, is located west of the psychiatric hospital and not far from an allotment colony or an animal cemetery. There will be no burials at the site again as restoring burials is not possible, among other reasons, because the specific locations of the buried deceased are not known.

The cemetery was consecrated on September 12, 1909, and the first to be buried there was eleven-year-old František Janovský. Burials ceased in 1951. The cemetery occupies an area of about 2.5 hectares.