From ancient times on the banks of the Yauza River, on the outskirts of Moscow, newcomers of a strange faith settled in the country, looking for Rusyns of fame and money. The Orthodox called them Germans, and the place was called the German settlement.
The young Tsar Peter, a follower of the European way of life, was pleased to be in the settlement. Soon he had a real friend and ally - Swiss Lefort. He had a great influence on the formation of thoughts and goals of Peter, and, therefore, the entire Russian state. His name is still called the area where the German settlement was located.
Franz Yakovlevich Lefort is buried with honors on top of the Vvedenskaya mountain. The terrible epitaph on the monument inspired fear, and over time it was destroyed, and the ashes were reburied at the Vvedensky cemetery.
The history of the graveyard
Even Peter I tried to introduce a ban on burial near churches, which was accepted in those days. During his reign, his daughter Elizabeth also ordered the transfer of cemeteries that might meet her along the way.
The final point was put by Catherine II and the plague, which gathered a rich harvest in Moscow in 1771.
Outside the city, near the Vvedensky mountains, now Lefortovsky Hill, on the bank of the Sinichka River, has allocated a site for the German (Inoverskoe) cemetery. Initially, it was planned to bury Lutherans, Catholics, Anglicans there.
Gradually, the territory grew over a ravine and a river. The earthen rampart was replaced by a stone wall. We expanded the entrance from the side of Nalichnaya street and opened the second from the opposite side on the Hospital Val.
In the 19th century, burials of people of other faiths began to appear. The cemetery itself, Vvedenskoye, became differently called.
In the middle of the 20th century, the territory once again increased. At the same time, a wall of columbaria appeared.
Burial history
The Vvedensky cemetery has existed for more than two centuries, and thanks to this, it has long turned into an open-air museum.
By the names on the graves you can find out about those who made a certain contribution to the development of the state, strengthened its fame and power.
The fact that burials were carried out from different faiths left a significant imprint on the architecture of the tombstones. Monuments, necropolises and chapels are vivid examples of classicism, Gothic, Empire style. Many of them were created by great masters.
Unfortunately, gravestones on the graves until the beginning of the 19th century practically did not survive.
Temples and Chapels
Once upon a time there were 2 Lutheran churches and 14 chapels. Towards the end of the 19th century, the northern entrance was decorated with a common chapel with a belfry for the funeral service. The architect Rode designed it in the Byzantine style, thereby emphasizing the original unity of all European religions.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a large Gothic chapel appeared, decorated with art nouveau details. After the revolution, administrative premises were placed in it. After 70 years, the building was returned to the fold of the church, restored and re-consecrated. Now it hosts services in Russian and Finnish.
Vvedenskoe cemetery is notable for the fact that there are graves of prominent church figures. After the revolution, during the persecution of worshipers, Orthodox priests are buried in the necropolis. Before the start of World War II, these graves were protected by the Lutheran community of Moscow.
The grave of "Chrysostom of Orthodoxy" Metropolitan Tryphon was visited by Patriarch Alexy II and served a prayer service.
Due to a serious illness, Archpriest Alexey Myachev escaped repression. The prohibition of authorities to communicate with believers greatly shortened his life. He was buried next to his wife in a German cemetery. In 2000 he was canonized. Newly acquired relics were transferred to the church of St. Nicholas in Moscow.
For a long time, the grave of old man Zosima remained abandoned. There is a story about the blessed beggar Tamara, who lived in a cemetery and collected alms. With the money raised, she cleared and partially restored the Erlanger family chapel. She put in order the old man’s grave and contributed to the construction of a small metal chapel above it.
Thanks to this selfless woman, you can come to worship Zosima and ask for advice in family affairs, help in choosing the second half.
Architectural heritage, historical graves and necropolises
Old European pogosts are more reminiscent of galleries, where samples of many areas in art are presented. No exception to this Vvedenskoye cemetery. Many famous sculptors and architects had a hand in the manufacture of crypts, chapels, tombstones.
Legends still circulate about the ancient tomb of Boray. Until the end of World War II, in the arch was a statue of Christ by the famous Romanelli. During the rain, droplets dripped from the hand of the savior, this water was considered holy, capable of curing ailments.
The pilgrimage to the statue was incompatible with the ideology of the country of that time, the statue was removed. Now she is in the seminary in Sergiev Posad.
The interior of the chapel of the Erlanger family is decorated with panels made according to the designs of Petrov-Vodkin. In this chapel they bring notes with requests, here they pray to the Lord, light candles. No one remembers when she began to attract Orthodox Christians.
On the main alley there are many tombstones of different styles dating from the first half of the 19th century. A vivid example of Gothic architecture is the grave of the hero of the war of 1812, General Count Palen.
The crypt of Musina-Pushkina, made in the Empire style, is well preserved to our days. Once the white walls darkened with time, overgrown with moss, but still retain their silent greatness.
From the mid-nineteenth century, granite monuments of black and red have been preserved. Empire in the cemetery is presented in the form of truncated columns, stelae, boulders.
Since the beginning of 1900, tombstones have used symbols of professional affiliation. On the grave of Meyen - a monument in the form of parts related to the railway business. At the aviator Bukin, the propeller crowns the monument.
Charms the grave of the writer Prishvin. The sculptor Konenkov sculpted the legendary bird Phoenix, so that with its wings it guarded the peace of the great master of the description of nature.
Military and mass graves
Vvedenskoe cemetery boasts that on its land is the territory of a European state. This small place, surrounded by a chain, which is attached to the guns dug in the ground, is the mass grave of French soldiers. They died in Moscow and its environs during the Patriotic War of 1812.
The tombstone on the former grave of pilots from the Normandie-Niemen regiment is simple and concise. The ashes were transported to their homeland, and the tombstone stands as a tribute to the friendship and unity of peoples in a terrible war.
Granite obelisks on mass graves remind of the unparalleled feat of Soviet soldiers who died on the outskirts of the capital.
Graves of famous people
The Vvedenskoe cemetery can be proud of - the graves of celebrities. Heroes of war and labor, politicians, historians, military, people of art, sports, literature found their rest here.
Perhaps the most revered place is the grave of the "holy doctor" Haaz. He spent his whole life and money to bring to life the evangelical expression "hurry to do good." All the main attributes of his activity were embodied in tombstones. The heavy boulder is a symbol of the excessive burden entrusted to itself by the prison doctor, the cross, which he carried with honor until the last days. Shackles are an achievement to be proud of.
Few people know that the Hermitage restaurant in the Neskuchny Garden of Moscow was organized by Lucien Olivier. More than one generation of Russians at the New Year's table gives honors to his salad. His grave can be found in the 12th section of the cemetery.
The publisher Sytin is grateful to young poets and writers of the early 20th century. This person can be worshiped on behalf of all those whom he has made recognizable and famous at site 14.
Bright personality, unrivaled commentator Nikolai Ozerov rests on the 21st site.
More recently, the satirical writer Arkady Arkanov found his last refuge in the 6th section.
Those wishing to pay the last debt to their favorite actors must definitely visit the Vvedenskoye cemetery. The graves of celebrities can be found without difficulty according to the signs. Here are just a few names:
- bright and amazing opera diva Maria Maksakova ;
- the best grandmother in the world Tatyana Peltzer;
- the owner of the apartment on Baker Street, Rina Zeleny;
- Laughter and songwriter from Girls are Lucien Ovchinnikov;
- creator of the immortal Pokrovsky Gate; Mikhail Kozakov;
- 70-year-old actress, beautiful Lydia Smirnova.
This list goes on for a very long time.
Cemetery plan
Initially, the territory of the cemetery was divided by faith. Lutherans and Catholics were assigned two sections each. One at a time - to the Anglicans and Lutheran reformers. Each site was also assigned to a specific parish.
The modern Vvedensky cemetery is divided into license plates for better orientation and search for the desired burial. There are thirty of them. Along the perimeter along the fence are walls for burial urns with ashes.
On the territory there is an administration, a funeral services office, production services, a church for the funeral.
How to get there
It is located within the city, which allows those who wish to easily find and visit the Vvedensky cemetery.
How to get from the Baumanskaya metro station? Unfortunately, this station is currently closed, and the way to public transport is not very convenient, since there is no direct route. But for lovers of hiking it will be pleasant and informative to take a walk. The road will take no more than 40 minutes and bring true pleasure.
A more convenient way is from the Elektrozavodskaya metro station on route 59 bus or minibus 636. Drive about 30 minutes to the Lefortovo Museum stop.
The fastest route is from the Semenovskaya and Aviamotornaya metro stations. Take tram number 32, 43, 46 and after 25 minutes get off at the Vvedenskoye Cemetery stop. How to get there and what kind of transport to use depends on personal preferences and the starting point.
Address and time
Postal address: Vvedenskoe cemetery, Moscow, Nalichnaya street , 1.
Necropolis is open to the public:
- October – April - from 9.00 to 17.00;
- May – September - from 9.00 to 19.00.
According to unverified data, professional photography with a tripod and video shooting are prohibited. Security zealously monitors the behavior of visitors.
It is possible to organize an excursion for a group or individually. In two hours you can see and learn a lot of interesting things about the history of the place and the people who found the last shelter here.