Although by definition it might not be interesting at graveyards, the Theological Cemetery (St. Petersburg) is still worth a visit. At least for the reason that a large number of famous people are buried there. Of course, this tour will not give you a sea of positive emotions, but you will learn a lot of interesting facts.
The theological cemetery has existed since the 18th century in the Kalinin district. Initially, people who died in a nearby hospital (military ground) were buried there, but after a while there were buried victims of cholera, which at that time was still poorly studied by doctors, and therefore claimed many lives. The theological cemetery was located on the territory of the Church of St. John the Evangelist (in fact, therefore, it was so named), which in 1788 it was decided to dismantle.
Over time, the land began to be actively settled here. The population was growing rapidly, and with the birth rate, mortality was increasing. The theological cemetery expanded. Therefore, the authorities decided to build a new one - 2.5 kilometers from the old. Here the church of St. John the Evangelist, once dismantled, was rebuilt (at the beginning of the last century).
Now the cemetery is well-groomed: landscaping was made here and asphalt paths were made. However, it was hard for these places during the years of Soviet power, and especially during the Second World War. Everyone knows how devastating the period of the siege of Leningrad was. As a result of hostilities and lack of fuel, most of the wooden crosses were burned. And after the war, there were cases when the Theological Cemetery was looted by marauders. Despite the fact that much was stolen and destroyed here, several mass graves with victims of the blockade have survived. According to official figures, in one of the quarries in the cemetery, which it was decided to use as a common grave, in 1942, in just a few days, 60,000 people were buried as a result of starvation, cold and shelling. These sad numbers are not only statistics, but also a real picture of all the horrors of war.
Today, the Theological Cemetery (St. Petersburg) is a place where burials are located, related mainly to the second half of the 20th century and, of course, to the military and post-war periods. In addition, a large number of famous writers, scientists, artists, military and athletes rest here. This is the children's writer Bianchi, and the famous storyteller Schwartz, and the conductor Mravinsky, and the hero of the Great Patriotic War Marinesco.
For many, the name of the cemetery is associated with the name of rock musician Viktor Tsoi, who crashed in a car in 1990. His grave can be easily found: fans often visit this place.
If you decide to get to the place yourself, it would be wise to first find out how to do it better. There are two easy ways:
- First you need to get to the station “Square of Courage”, and from there - on the 123rd bus to the street. Butlerova.
- Take the metro to Ploshchad Lenina station. Right near the exit from the subway there is a stop with which you can get to the churchyard by trolleybus No. 38.