Evangelical Cemetery in Stadła

The Evangelical cemetery in Stadła is a necropolis of German colonists who, from 1783, settled in the Sącz region by the will of Emperor Joseph II. Stadła was the seat of a parish for settlers from the surrounding villages, and a church was built here around 1786.

Two cemeteries

The first cemetery was founded by the Dunajec, about 600 metres from the village buildings. The river flooded it, and at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries a flood washed out coffins, which were moved to the other side of the village. The cemetery that survives to this day was created there, with an area of 0.5 hectares, surrounded by a hedge. By the end of the Second World War over a thousand people had been buried in the two cemeteries.

Destruction and renovation

After the war the cemetery fell into ruin, gravestones were stolen and the sandstone ones weathered. In September 2004 descendants of the colonists visited it and it was hard to find even one gravestone. The villagers set up a care committee, and the cemetery was renovated and re-consecrated on 18 September 2005.

Nearby

Nearby are the Museum of the Sącz Lachs and the church in Podegrodzie.

Practical information

• Place: Stadła, Podegrodzie municipality, Nowy Sącz County.
• No opening hours in the sources; this is a resting place, and quiet is required.