The final gravestone is dated 1787; three years earlier, the enlightened sovereign Emperor Josef II had banned burials inside the city walls for hygienic reasons.

Only occasionally the Jewish community was allowed to purchase grounds to expand the cemetery and so many times it had to gain space in other ways; if necessary, a new layer of soil was heaped up on the available area.

This also explains why the surface of the cemetery is raised several meters higher than the surrounding streets; retaining walls are necessary to hold the soil and the graves in place.

There are two kinds of Jewish burial monuments (in Hebrew matzevot) – the older is a slab of wood or stone, basically rectangular, but with various endings at the top.

From the 16th century the gravestones characterize the deceased also through various symbols, hinting at the life, character, name or profession of the people (see the tables below for details).

[2] Crown A good reputation A pair of blessing hands Cohen, a descendant of temple priests Wine grapes Fertility, a good, prosperous life A jug and a bowl Levite, a descendant of temple helpers of Cohens Name or By-name Profession Male Female Lion Arye, Leib or Yehudah (see Gn 49,9) Bird Tzipora, Feigele or Taubele Book Cantor Deer Naftali (Gn 49, 29).

Tzvi or Hirsch Rose Rosa Harp or Violin Musician Bear Yissachar, Dov or Beer By-name Lancet Physician Wolf Zeev or Benjamin (Gn 49,27) Mouse Maisel Scissors Tailor Hexagram David or Menahem Goose Gans Calf Butcher This list follows the numbering of the plan on the right.