In any large modern city there are closedancient cemeteries. Today, such necropolises are often recognized monuments of architecture, often organized tours are organized on their territory. And indeed, on any sufficiently old pogost there is something to look at and think about. If you are interested in this subject, be sure to visit the Lutheran Smolensk cemetery in St. Petersburg.
Ancient necropolis for gentiles in St. Petersburg
Until the events of the 1917 revolution, the attitude towardsRussia to foreigners was special. Specialists of various branches and scientists from European countries were honored and lured to work and moving to Russia in all sorts of ways, it was prestigious and to marry a foreigner of worthy descent. As a result, the Germans, the French and the British immigrated to our country whole families, and many remained here forever. What is important, foreigners retained their status, and at times to obtain public recognition or a high post they were even easier than "local". Such visitors were not even required to accept Orthodoxy, regardless of status, Europeans were allowed to maintain their faith and not hide religious beliefs. It is for this reason that in 1747, at the request of the Synod, the organization of the first necropolis in St. Petersburg for non-Orthodox burials began. This is how the Lutheran Smolensk cemetery appeared in the south of the island of the Decembrists, which got its name in honor of the Smolenka River, which flows nearby.
Who was buried in a non-Orthodox necropolis?
The place for the organization of graves of "foreignforeign non-Russians "was chosen not accidentally. Very close to the Vasilievsky Island, which at that time was inhabited by many visitors. Since a significant number of foreign families residing permanently in St. Petersburg were Germans, the definition of this nationality became in some way synonymous with the word "foreigner". For this reason, often the Smolensk Lutheran cemetery was called and called today "German". In fact, there were buried representatives of various faiths, among whom were people of different nationalities. The original plan for the cemetery was drawn up by the architect Trezzini. The burial places in this necropolis in most cases were conducted with a special glamor and according to all the rules of that era, since most often the last shelter here was found by people well-known, respected and wealthy. Generic crypts, sculptural compositions and massive lavishly decorated tombstones - a common phenomenon for the Smolensk Pogost.
"Blossom" of the necropolis
In 1836, it was decided to increaseterritory of the cemetery. To implement this project, the council of St. Catherine's Church bought out land owned by the state councilor Kireev. As a result, the total area of the necropolis was increased to 15 hectares. Until now, the book of the records of the buried in 1912-1919 has been preserved. Having studied this document, we can conclude that in one year the Smolensk Lutheran cemetery in St. Petersburg increased by no less than 350 new graves. In total, according to experts, on this necropolis was buried about 25-30 thousand people.
Smolenskoye cemetery in the late XIX - early XX century
Officially necropolis until February 1, 1919related to the arrival of St. Catherine's Lutheran Church. The church council always cares about the improvement of the cemetery territory and the maintenance of the proper order on it. In 1882, for example, was even compiled a list of monuments that were to be restored or replaced. In total, more than 1,500 tombstones were included in this list. Those that were especially damaged were described in detail and preserved at the church. In 1860, the church council formally responded to the Commission's request for the construction of cemeteries about the existence on the territory of the necropolis of buildings and tombstones of the 18th century. According to this document, at that time there were 83 tombstones and 5 architectural monuments of the mentioned period on the territory of the churchyard. On February 1, 1919, the Lutheran Smolensk cemetery was nationalized and transferred to the office of the Commissariat for Internal Affairs.
Official closing and the WWII years
For mass graves, the necropolis was closed in1939 year. But, despite this fact, up to the middle of the XX century single solitary burials were conducted here. From this moment the story of the decline of the famous cemetery begins. Some of the most valuable tombstones were transferred to the necropolis of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, while the rest of the graves were gradually overgrown with grass, and their monuments were dilapidated and destroyed. Lutheran Smolensk cemetery during the Great Patriotic War, and the Orthodox deceased. Here, a mass grave was built for the fighters of the Leningrad Front and an unusual children's burial. May 9, 1942 in one of the kindergartens of Leningrad, the kids together with the teachers went for a walk, the whole group and the staff of the institution were killed under the fire of enemy artillery. The children were buried here, in a large common grave.
Famous people buried in the Smolensk cemetery
Today, the cemetery produces a deplorable impression.Luxurious sculptures and tombs were seriously destroyed, garbage and desolation around. Meanwhile, walking along the rows of graves, you can trace through them a significant part of the history of this glorious city. Be sure to go along the old paved avenue - this is the present Smolensk Lutheran cemetery in St. Petersburg. Who is buried here? Various great figures of past times of foreign origin: scientists, writers, architects, artists, doctors. An unusual tombstone with a stone bust belongs to Gaetano Ciniselli - the founder of the circus on the Fontanka. Let's go further and see the family burial Shaubov - the most famous architects in St. Petersburg. Also at the Smolenskoye cemetery are buried: Agafon Gustavovich Faberge (younger brother of the jeweler Carl Faberge), S.K. Greig and A.K. Greig (admirals) and their close relatives, Karl May (the founder of the gymnasium of May), Nikolai Fedorovich Arendt (label-medic of Nicholas I), Mauritius Wolf (publisher of the magazine "Around the World") and many other outstanding people.
What does the Smolensk Lutheran cemetery look like today?
Photos made in our time on this graveyard,show that he is very neglected. The present territory of the necropolis is only about 7 hectares. In 1985, part of the territory of the churchyard was transferred to the construction of a fire station, and then, in the middle of the 90s of the last century, near the entrance (in the cemetery land) was built a gas station. The Smolensk Lutheran cemetery suffered greatly from the time and vandals. Petersburg, though considered a cultural capital, but about such an important architectural and spiritual monument the city seemed to forget. An interesting fact - fame and popularity of the ancient necropolis brought the cult movie "Brother", one episode from this picture really was shot right here - in the Smolensk pogost. In the frame you can see one of the unusual and memorable "arbors" - the entrance to the crypt. And since the release of the film on the screen, an increasing number of tourists want to visit this cemetery and take pictures, "like in a movie."
How to get to the "German" Lutheran cemetery?
Be free to enter the territory of the necropolisit is possible daily, in the summer from 9.00 to 19.00, and in winter - from 9.00 to 17.00. However, some experts of this place claim that through the holes in the fence you can go to the cemetery and back at any time of the day. And in places this fence is completely absent. The Smolensk Lutheran cemetery in St. Petersburg has the following address: embankment of the Smolenka River, possession 27. By public transport it is easy to get from the metro station "Vasileostrovskaya" on the minibuses 249A and K186. You need to exit at the stop "Kamskaya Street".
