Nikolskoe cemetery is the third of the necropolises of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra by the opening date. Eminent figures and famous people of various eras are buried here. Today, the cemetery with a large number of ancient tombstones and crypts has an undeniable historical value.
History of the founding of the necropolis
In 1861, a new Zasobornoe cemetery was opened not far from the Holy Trinity Cathedral. According to historical documents, this necropolis has always been considered especially prestigious and expensive. Initially, holders of honorary titles and other prominent citizens were buried here.
In 1868-1871, the Church of St. Nicholas of Myra was built, the cemetery changed its name and has since been called Nikolsky. Since its foundation, the necropolis has been more like a city park-garden than a mournful place. The territory has a regular layout, the cemetery even has its own pond. Famous and rich people were buried at Nikolsky. Each family seemed to strive to compete with all the others in the splendor of the decoration of the grave. Chapels, crypts, monumental portals, crosses andobelisks of all shapes. Many graves featured decorative sculptures and even portrait busts of the dead.
Periods of decline and rebirth
At the end of the 19th century, the necropolis looked solemn and magnificent. The most spectacular panorama opened on him when viewed from the eastern shore of the pond. From this vantage point, a view of the buildings of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra opened: the Trinity Cathedral, the Annunciation and Fedorov churches.
After the revolution of 1917, many ancient necropolises of Leningrad were closed. In most cases, this was facilitated by the active development of the city. So the Nikolskoye cemetery, which was once located on the outskirts, turned out to be surrounded by city blocks. The necropolis was officially closed in 1927. Even then, the cemetery could have been turned into an open-air city park-museum. But instead, some of the most valuable burials were moved to the nearby Literary bridges of the Volkovskoye cemetery and the Necropolis of Art Masters.
Nikolskoye suffered greatly from marauders as well. Crypts were broken into in search of treasures, graves were dug up and even tombstone elements were stolen. Some time later, the city department, which monitors the ancient necropolises, carried out the liquidation of "ownerless" burials. As part of this dubious program, hundreds of ancient tombstones from unvisited graves were destroyed. St. Nicholas Church also suffered.
The temple was tried to be converted into a crematorium, then it was used as a warehouse. The value of some monuments was officiallyrecognized in 1940. However, the cemetery was remembered only in the 1970s during the complex restoration of the ensemble of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. At that time, a new columbarium wall was erected. In 1985, the church was reconstructed and re-consecrated, after which the complex improvement of the cemetery territory finally began.
Interesting facts and common myths
Was Nikolskoye Cemetery reopened? In fact, since 1992, burials have rarely been carried out here. The cemetery again acquired a special status closed to "mere mortals". Over the past years, less than 20 new graves have appeared on it. Such famous people as Lev Gumilyov, Mikhail Malafeev, Igor Glebov, Dmitry Filippov, Anatoly Sobchak and others were buried here. A separate area in the cemetery is allocated for the burial of monks and clergy. In the historical part of the necropolis, you can see the tombstones of famous military leaders, scientists, inventors, cultural and art figures. Like any other, the Nikolskoye cemetery is shrouded in a trail of mystical superstitions and urban legends. The most terrible of them belong to the present. According to some sources, adherents of satanic sects periodically appear in the ancient necropolis and perform various rituals there.
Nikolskoe cemetery: address and opening hours
Today the third necropolis of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra exists as an open-air museum. Its territory is ennobled and guarded, for tourists the entrancefree. How to get to Nikolsky cemetery by public transport? From the metro station "Alexander Nevsky Square" you need to walk to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, go through the Lazarevskoye cemetery, and then move towards the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. You can visit the ancient necropolis from 9.00 to 18.00. The phone number of the Nikolsky cemetery can be found in reference books.
