Olšany Cemetery

Huge and atmospheric, Prague’s main burial ground was founded in 1680 to handle the increased deaths during a plague epidemic; the oldest stones can be found in the northwestern corner, near the 17th-century Chapel of St Roch (kaple sv Rocha). There are several entrances to the cemetery running along Vinohradská, east of Flora metro station, and also beside the chapel on Olšanská. Jan Palach, the student who set himself on fire on the steps of the National Museum in January 1969 to protest the Soviet invasion, is buried here. To find his grave, enter the main gate (flanked by flower shops) on Vinohradská and turn right – it’s about 50m along on the left of the path.