During the German occupation, the old cemetery was destroyed. In 1942, the local authorities saw the opportunity to resolve the cemetery problem, persuading the Nazis to destroy it and creating two new Jewish cemeteries on the boundaries of the city. The destruction work began on 6 December 1942. 500 workers, paid by the Jewish community, were hired for this process that lasted two weeks. The precious stones that were removed were used as building materials. Bricks and marble stones were used for the creation of a swimming pool for the Nazis officers, for the German military cemetery as well as for the renovation of Christian buildings. Today, in the Observatory Park of Aristotle University, the Memorial to the Old Jewish Cemetery is located. Inaugurated in 2014 and designed by the architect Kostas Lentaris, the monument is dedicated to the history of the Old Jewish Cemetery.