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Alternate names: Zwierzyniec [Pol], Zvierznitz [Yid], Zvezhinetz, Звежинец [Rus]. 15 places are named 'Zwierzyniec' in Poland. Słownik Geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego (1880-1902), XIV, p. 685: "Zwierzyniec" #15. This one is 15 miles SW of Zamość, 7 miles S of Szczebrzeszyn at 50°36' N, 22°58' E. This town on the Wieprz river in the Zamość powiat, Lublin Voivodeship with 3,324 inhabitants in 2004. Prisoners will renovate the cemetery. [July 2009]

US Commission No. AS 210

Zwierzyniec is located in Zamosc region at 50º37 22º58, 20 km WSW of Zamosc. The cemetery is E from town's center, with 2nd of February St at the end on the opposite side of railway tracks. Present town population is 5000-25000 with no Jews.

Earliest known Jewish community dates from first half of 17th century. 1921 Jewish population (census) was 1100. The cemetery was established in the mid-19th century with last known Orthodox Jewish burial 1943. Landmark: official monument record # A/480/90. The isolated rural flat land has no marker. Reached by crossing private property, access is open to all with no fence or gate. The size before WWII and now is 0.5 hectares. 1-20 stones, some in original locations with less than 25% toppled or broke, date from the 19th century. The sandstone finely smoothed/inscribed stones or flat stones with carved relief decoration have Hebrew inscriptions. There are no known mass graves. Municipality owns site used as a Jewish cemetery only. Properties adjacent are either agricultural or residential. Rarely, private visitors stop. The cemetery was vandalized during WWII. Stones have been re-erected. There is a very serious threat because of uncontrolled access (removal of stones for construction) and a moderate or small threat from vandalism, weather erosion and vegetation.

Malgorzata Radolowicz-Buzikiewicz, Florianska 37/3, 31-019 Krakow, Phone # (0-12) 215748 completed survey and visited site on September 28, 1995. Documentation: PSOZ (Wojewodzki Konserwator Zabytkow (State Preservation Authority, Conservation Officer for Woiwodship) Zamosc, "Karta cmentarza (cemetery record chart) #2202 filled by S. Twardowski, 1984. Interviews were also conducted with officers at Preservation Authorities and residents of housing nearby the cemetery.

Parent Category: EASTERN EUROPE