Smetana Gardens

The Smetana Gardens are one of the many city parks, built on the site of the original city cemetery from 1559. Burials here were discontinued in 1868 when, due to the large number of deaths after a cholera epidemic, it was decided to build a new cemetery on the outskirts of Jihlava towards Pelhřimov.
The gardens were established here in 1891 after the cemetery walls were demolished and trees were planted. Later a network of paths and benches was added.

The cemetery church of the Holy Spirit dates back to 1572. Its original patron saint was the Holy Trinity, but the Holy Spirit became its patron saint during the 16th century. During the invasion of the Swedes, the church was badly damaged. It was rebuilt by the Strahov Premonstratensians in 1661 in the Mannerist style, after the cemetery was closed it was rebuilt in Neo-Baroque style. The Church of the Holy Spirit is a branch church of the Roman Catholic parish of the Church of St. James in Jihlava.

The five sculptures, now located in the park, were created in 2007 during a sculpture symposium organized by the local Secondary School of Graphic Arts.

‍