General
Lutowiska is a village in Bieszczady County, in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship of south-eastern Poland, close to the border with Ukraine.
It is the seat of the gmina (administrative district) called Gmina Lutowiska. It lies approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) south of Ustrzyki Dolne and 101 km (63 mi) south-east of the regional capital Rzeszow.
The village has a population of Approx.. 750
Jewish History overview
Jews settled in Lutowiska in the 18th century, with 1,309 Jews living there in 1881 dominating the local trade. On the main road to Carpatho-Rus and Hungary and the nearby estates to Graf [Count] Konarski, 12 big annual fairs in Lutowiska were known for trade in oxen imported from Hungary. With its agricultural surroundings, the local weekly market was important. The Jewish cemetery on a hill about four hundred meters east of the city beside the river Smolnik was also a burial place for Jews from Stuposianów, Zatwarnicy, Skorodnego and other nearby villages.
During the years 1997-2002, inventory work was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Jerzy Woronczak, about 1,000 gravestones were identified. The oldest of them commemorates a man named Moshe, who died on 5 December 1796 (5 kislev 5557). The youngest matzeva comes from 1940. It is possible to distinguish the new (upper) and the old (lower) part of the cemetery.
You can get to it from the school side, along a dirt road lined with plates, and then along the stream. It is worth noting that from the hill where the cemetery is located, there is a beautiful panorama of Lutowiska and polonium. It is the second largest (in Lesko) Jewish cemetery in the region. Neglected, although often visited by tourists. Matzevot in various condition, often broken and overgrown with moss and darninie. Some, however, preserved in good condition. The isolated rural hillside has no sign or marker. Reached by crossing private property, access is open to all with no wall, fence, or gate. The cemetery size is approximately 1.0 ha, both before World War II and now.
Today are there somewhere between 100 and 500 gravestones, 20-100 not in original locations with 25%-50% toppled or broken, date from 1796-20th century. The sandstone, finely smoothed and inscribed, or flat stones with carved relief decoration have Hebrew inscriptions. The village people used the property for animal grazing. Properties adjacent are agricultural. Rarely, private people visit. The cemetery was vandalized during World War II. In 1987 and 1988, the Society for Protection of Monuments cleared vegetation and re-erected stones but gives no care now. Weather erosion, vegetation and vandalism are very serious threats. Security is a moderate threat.
Jewish Lutowiska 