Novodevichie cemetery
FROM THE HISTORY OF NOVODEVICHY CEMETERY
 
Novodevichy Cemetery is located in the South of the city; its name comes from the Novodevichy Monastery built to the order of Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great. First burials date back to 1850.
In the 19th – early 20th centuries the Cemetery was one of the most prestigious in the city. Only people who belonged to upper classes could be buried here – these were prominent statesmen, writer, poets and scientists. The Cemetery was richly decorated and its splendor could rival with that of Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
Since those buried at Novodevichy Cemetery were people of high rank, Revolution of 1917 left many graves abandoned. Relatives were forced to emigrate and those who stayed – fell victims to repressions. In 1920-s – 1930-s the graves were destroyed, sculptures and tombs broken, three church buildings demolished. Remains of the most prominent people, such as artist Ivanov and composer Rimsky-Korsakov were removed to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra necropolis.
In spite of all the destruction some tombs are still remaining here: those of poets Tyutchev and Nekrasov, admiral Essen, Botkin, an outstanding physician, and Vrubel – a prophetic Russian painter of the early 20th century.
Parts of the Cemetery could be compared to the city’s best parks, its other corners are still in need of restoration, but the Cemetery itself is of a great historical importance and has a right to be mentioned among St.Petersburg necropolises.
The Association has already cone a lot to preserve the Cemetery: it has restored tombs of Vrubel and Essen and rebuilt the Main Gate to its original look. All the remaining graves and tombs have been registered and are now a subject to complex restoration. Still it will take time and money to bring the Cemetery to a proper state.   
 
 

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