The northern cemetery is very popular among residents of St. Petersburg. Many are interested in how to get to it. Everything is very simple: you need to get to the railway station called Pargolovo, and from there take the bus number 398, which will take you to your destination. In order not to get lost, getting out of transport, you need to know that there is a ring road on one side of the cemetery, and 1st Assumption Street on the other. Some find it difficult to find an unfamiliar place where you have never had to be before. Although many do not know exactly where the cemetery is located, it is quite famous, so even residents of other settlements are aware that the city in which the Northern cemetery is located is St. Petersburg. The plan allows you to get acquainted with the internal structure of this place.
Opening hours and address
You can come to the cemetery any month and day, with the exception of January 1st. From May to September, it opens at 9:00, and stops its work at 18:00. The situation is slightly different from October to April. During this period, it closes an hour earlier. Needless to say, the city you need to come to visit the Northern Cemetery is St. Petersburg? Nevertheless, the address always begins with the name of the locality. Then follow the street and the house - May 1, 1.
History of the foundation of the cemetery
This cemetery began to function relatively long ago. It became necessary when, as a result of the reform that took place in 1861, the population of the northern capital sharply increased. Another reason why the number of city residents has increased is the abolition of serfdom. But the site for the cemetery was not allocated immediately, it took a lot of time, since choosing a suitable place was quite difficult. The decision was made only in 1874.
It was then that a part of the land belonging to A.P. Shuvalov, the famous count, was allotted to the cemetery. This site was located a short distance from the city, young trees grew there. Consequently, a large-scale preparatory work aimed at improving the territory was required. And so the Northern Cemetery appeared.
St. Petersburg, reviews of which are always enthusiastic, is famous for its many attractions, which include this mournful place, because there are graves of famous people.
Burial sites
Many years ago, the cemetery actually consisted of several separate sections, among which there was one free, occupying more than a third of the entire area. It is noteworthy that a certain part of the territory was intended for Lutheran burials. Many followers of this Christian movement knew that the city where the Northern cemetery is located is St. Petersburg. The administration has always taken care of this mournful place, trying to make it as comfortable as possible.
Employees
A caretaker worked at the cemetery, especially for which a house consisting of two floors was erected in a short time. This man kept order, not allowing pollution of the territory. The servants of the temple, located at the cemetery, also had their own housing. In addition, there were guest houses. Some of the visiting people, being impressed by this place, even said that they would like the North Cemetery to become their last refuge. St. Petersburg, whose photos amaze with its beauty, can be proud of it, because here it is always clean and beautiful, which attracts many.
The foundation and consecration of the temple
The foundation of the cemetery church took place at the end of the summer of 1874, it was built very quickly, and already at the beginning of winter it was lit. A few years later, another significant event happened.
A small aisle was lit where the ordered liturgies were held. Many believers went to the Northern Cemetery to pray. St. Petersburg is replete with magnificent churches, but this temple can be called quite unusual, even the atmosphere is special here.
Services, special train
As for the work of the cemetery, everything was perfect here. In the office there was a book in which you could see a diagram of the territory, numbers of burials and plots. Relatives of the deceased made their own decisions about the location of the grave, and could also use services that included not only the provision of a pit, but also the provision of all kinds of utensils necessary for the funeral. But that is not all. Also, the cemetery staff carried out the preparation of the burial place.
It is curious that it was possible to get to the cemetery by a mourning train, specially allocated for the relatives of the deceased, in which there was a special car designed for coffins. This was undoubtedly a great solution. There was also a separate carriage for grieving relatives. They did not want to believe that there was no longer a loved one, but the train inexorably drove them to the Northern Cemetery. St. Petersburg seems to tourists a beautiful modern city with a lot of entertainment, but only local residents know how much grief he saw in his entire history ...
Highlights
In most cases, people were buried in free territory, therefore, the cemetery was always at a loss, despite the fact that every day many new graves appeared here. Over time, much has changed here. 1887 was marked by the allocation of a special site for the burial of servicemen of various regiments, and in 1903 - by the provision of territory for the burial of city officers, as well as warders. At the cemetery, the kids from the Orphanage also found their last shelter. The place of their burial inspires longing for some people who stop at their graves. After some time, a church was erected in the cemetery, named after Alexander Nevsky, as well as a chapel dedicated to the memory of Mary Magdalene. The years 1918-1919 were truly terrible, while mass burials of people who died from various ailments and starvation were carried out. Endless string of unfortunate people stretched to the Northern cemetery. St. Petersburg was going through hard times.
Northern cemetery today
In the 20s of the last century, funerals were not so frequent here. The railway leading to the cemetery was demolished. The Assumption Church repeated the fate of many other places of worship - it was abolished, and soon dismantled. Only large stones remained that served as its foundation - only from them could one guess that there was once a church here.
Today the cemetery is operational, and many choose it for the burial of their relatives. Judging by the reviews, there is already nothing free. You can bury both coffins and urns with ashes, but you will have to pay a certain amount for everything. Nevertheless, this fact does not affect the attitude of people to the cemetery. The territory is landscaped, flowers grow everywhere, cleaning is carried out regularly, which means that there can be no complaints. To make sure that everything is in order, it’s enough to visit the Northern Cemetery at least once. St. Petersburg is famous for many interesting places that are optimistic, but do not forget about the tragic pages of its history. Why, walking through this wonderful city, not look at the cemetery?