Symbolický cintorín: a serene memorial that honors the adventurous spirits of climbers who lost their lives in the High Tatras

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8 months ago Adam

Nestled near the picturesque Popradské pleso lake, in Slovakia’s Tatra National Park, just a few meters over a small bridge, under which the water murmurs quietly, is Symbolický cintorín, literally Symbolic Cemetery, that serves as a poignant tribute to the lives lost in the mountains, particularly those who died while attempting to conquer the rugged peaks of the High Tatras.

This quaint site is not a traditional cemetery, as it does not contain actual graves, but symbolic memorials honoring climbers and hikers who met tragic fates in the region.
There are more than 300 plaques commemorating more than 400 people in the cemetery, some affixed to large boulders, while others with the form of large painted wooden crosses that stand as silent witnesses to the lives that were lost in these mountains.

The project was the idea of Czech mountaineer Otakar Štáfl and the location was chosen in 1934.
It was initially conceived as a way to gather scattered memorials from various locations in the High Tatras where tragedies had occurred, relocating them to a single, unified memorial.
Woodcarver Jozef Fekiač-Šumný from Detva crafted 60 colored wooden crosses for this hallowed ground while local companies contributed to building a small chapel.
The cemetery was officially opened on August 11, 1940, with its first plaque dedicated to Hungarian mountaineer Jenő Wachter who tragically fell during an expedition in 1907. Although it’s not a traditional burial ground, it provides a space for reflection and remembrance where visitors can reflect on the lives lost and find a warning for the living, as its motto states: “Mŕtvym na pamiatku, živým pre výstrahu“, or “To the dead as a reminder, to the living as a warning“.

And one cannot help but feel humbled by the stories told within this sacred ground, as remind us to approach our adventures with caution, respect for nature’s forces, and proper preparation. Moreover, the tales inscribed on each plaque urge us to prioritize safety above all else and equip ourselves with knowledge, appropriate gear, and experienced guides when exploring these challenging terrains.
It is managed by the State Forests of TANAP (Tatra National Park) and is closed to the public from November 1st to June 15th each year.