Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow is known no less than the Kremlin, this is the burial place of the deceased. The land area of seven and a half hectares is the whole history of the Russian people.
History of occurrence
Novodevichy cemetery arose next to the monastery of the same name in 1898, which is located on the peninsula in Luzhniki. The monastery was founded by Prince Vasily III and is dedicated to the liberation of Smolensk from the Lithuanian invasion.
There are several versions of the origin of the name of the monastery. According to one of them, it came from the field on which it is located. Once upon a time, the Tatars selected Russian girls for themselves on Maiden Field. Another version connects the name of the monastery with its first nun, Elena Devochkina.
One way or another, this place has a rich history: the monastery burned more than once, wandered from hand to hand, and was used as a laundry, gym, and kindergarten.
A cemetery was established near the monastery to repose the nuns. One of the first to be buried here is the author of the Novodevichy Convent - N. E. Efimov.
There was not much burial in this place. However, over time, Novodevichy cemetery became one of the most expensive and elite burial places. Graves of celebrities of state and cultural-historical levels are there at every step.
Who was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery?
People from higher circles found their last refuge near the Novodevichy Convent. These were statesmen - military leaders and ministers, painters and sculptors, poets and writers, academics and scientists. Persons buried at the Novodevichy cemetery are known to many. These are B. Akhmadulina (poetess), V. Bryusov (playwright), A. Chekhov and N. Chukovsky (writers), artists and sculptors A. Bubnov, N. Zhukov, V. Svarog, V. Shestakov. There are many relatives of famous politicians - the wife of Stalin, Brezhnev, Gorbachev, Dzerzhinsky.
There were no cheap, and even more free places at the Novodevichy cemetery. This was and remains one of the rich and well-equipped burial places. In this regard, the graves were repeatedly subjected to abuse and vandalism. After the revolution, in 1917–1920, most of the tombstones, crosses, sculptures and fences were destroyed or removed.
History of Russia in burials
After the October Revolution, the Novodevichy cemetery, it was decided to make the burial place of "persons with public status." In 1930, the graves of N.V. Gogol, D.V. Venevitinov, S.T. Aksakov, I.I. Levitan, M.N. Yermolova and other public figures were transferred to the Novodevichy cemetery. The graves of celebrities here take the main place.
Geographically, the graveyard consists of three parts: the old cemetery (1st – 4th sections), the new (5–8th) and the newest cemetery (9–11th). Throughout its history, it has expanded three times. About 26,000 people rest in the necropolis.
Many historical figures are buried on the old site. Among them are M. Bulgakov and his wife, A. N. Tolstoy, V. V. Mayakovsky, I. A. Ilf, S. Ya. Marshak, V. M. Shukshin, V. I. Vernadsky, P. P. Kashchenko, A. I. Abrikosov, I. M. Sechenov, L. M. Kaganovich, V. M. Molotov, V. S. Chernomyrdin, N. S. Alliluyeva (second wife of Stalin) and many others.
The “new” territory of the cemetery is a columbarium for urns with ashes, which has about 7000 urns. There is the ashes of the writers A. Twardowski and S. Mikhalkov, aircraft designer A. N. Tupolev, the grave of the great actor of all time - Yuri Nikulin. Politicians B. Yeltsin and N. Khrushchev rest in these places.
The “newest” site is the burials of figures of Russian culture, among which are E. Leonov, V. Tikhonov, L. Gurchenko, I. Ilyinsky, M. Ulyanov, N. Kryuchkov, S. Bondarchuk, A. Schnittke and hundreds of other persons.
Novodevichy cemetery - a direction of tourism
Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow is one of the ten most beautiful and unique graves in the world. It is a cultural and memorial property of Russia, and is also included in the UNESCO heritage list.
Not surprisingly, this burial place is on the list of many travel companies in Moscow. Indeed, in addition to the graves of celebrities, the Novodevichy cemetery is filled with the works of famous sculptors and architects. Tombstones of the Novodevichy cemetery were performed by such creators as M. Anikushin, E. Vuchetich, S. Konenkov, V. Mukhina, N. Tomsky, G. Schulz. The works were done in the new Russian style, neoclassicism and modernism were also used.
Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow: secrets and mysticism
The land of the Novodevichy cemetery in its entire history has absorbed many human tears and grief. And let it sound paradoxical, but for many women the churchyard gave healing and hope. Perhaps all because his fate, like the fate of the monastery, was largely determined by the feminine. There are many female individuals that were deeply unhappy during their lifetime. They loved and suffered, believed and hoped, but did not find happiness. Now the "sufferers" are in a better world, and their energy is able to heal and heal. She helps to find female happiness - to meet her fate, get married, give birth to a long-awaited child ...
Not one eyewitness claims that during walks in the burial places strange silhouettes and shadows were noticed. Perhaps this is Abbot Devochkina, who for centuries has been protecting these lands. Maybe this is Stalin grieving at his wife’s grave. Or maybe Gogol is looking for those who have abused his grave? Rumor has it that when the writer was reburied, his body lay on his side and without a head. According to one version, an unknown collector stole his head.
The most visited monument at the Novodevichy cemetery
Many famous people rest in the Novodevichy cemetery. However, not all tourists are attracted to such gloomy places. This graveyard is an exception. There are hundreds who wish to visit the burial places of great cultural and political figures.
One of the most visited places is the mystical grave of Gogol, the monuments to Chekhov, Bulgakov, the “Alliluyev alley”, the Khrushchev graveyard.
Gathers people and the largest monument in the cemetery - the clown Durov.
For a long time, after numerous attempts of vandalism, the entrance to the Novodevichy cemetery was closed. Now everyone can visit it.
Excursions to the Novodevichy cemetery
Novodevichy cemetery is the cultural and historical heritage of Russia. It is one of the hundred most visited memorials by tourists. There is a churchyard near the Novodevichy Convent on the street. Khamovnichesky Val, 50 (Luzhitsky passage, 2), Sportivnaya metro station. Entrance to the necropolis is free. Visits are allowed from 9 to 17.
You can take a walk to the burial places both independently and with a guide. Interesting walks in the cemetery are conducted by the writer, historian and journalist - Igor Obolensky. You can book an excursion by phone - (495) 788–88–69.
A tour of the monastery with a visit to the cemetery is also carried out by the organization of the State Unitary Enterprise “Ritual”. In addition, stories are conducted in different languages, especially for foreign tourists.
A tourist who will visit the Novodevichy cemetery with an experienced guide will learn a lot of interesting and informative from the history of Russia. Photos of walks made as a souvenir can be brought as a souvenir to your friends and relatives. After all, what could be better than a piece of history captured in a photograph?
It is better to organize walks to the Novodevichy cemetery in spring or autumn, when it is not so hot.
The cemetery of the same name in St. Petersburg
There is a similar monastery with an adjacent cemetery in St. Petersburg. The Novodevichy Convent here was erected by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in 1746 - in old age, she wanted to take tonsure. However, she soon changed her mind, and the monastery was closed after the death of his last nun. It was resumed only under Nicholas I.
Near the monastery was also reserved a place for a cemetery, the territory of which reached ten hectares. It was buried since 1849. Novodevichy cemetery in St. Petersburg was considered one of the richest burial places at that time.
Pogost became the last refuge for such great people as F. Tyutchev, N. Nekrasov, I. Sadovsky, N. Schukin, V. Zhukovsky, M. Vrubel, K. Sluchevsky, S. Botkin, E. Eichwald. Many celebrities were sheltered by the Novodevichy cemetery. How to get to the memorial - not everyone will say. And all because not everyone knows about the Novodevichy cemetery of the same name in St. Petersburg.
Pogost is located at 100 Moskovsky proezd, building 2. You can get to it using the metro - Moskovskie Vorota stop or Frunzenskaya stop. The cemetery is open to visitors from 9 to 18.
Tourist note
For most people, a cemetery is a place of grief and tears. However, there are also graves that can tell a lot about the history and culture of the people. Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow is one of these. It is included in the list of Moscow attractions. If possible, every tourist should see it.