October 2, 2012

WARSAW, Poland (JTA) — Pieces of Jewish gravestones found at the bottom of Poland’s longest river have been returned to a Jewish cemetery.

The 17 gravestone pieces from the Jewish cemetery in the Brodno district were found at the bottom of the Vistula River, which is at a record low water level due to drought.

In addition to the gravestones, fittings of the Royal Palace in Warsaw including a fountain, vases and marble steps, which the Swedes tried to take out of the city in the seventeenth century, were also discovered.

A few decades ago, construction companies removed gravestones from the Jewish cemetery in Brodno and used them as building material. They were also used to strengthen the bottom of the river.

Last week the 17 pieces of tombstones were recovered from the river. On Monday they were placed at the cemetery.

The Brodno Jewish cemetery was established in 1780. It is currently managed by the Nissenbaum Family Foundation. The Jewish Community of Warsaw has plans to repair the damage and place security cameras at the cemetery.

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