The Town Russian Cemetery

Within the serene embrace of Alexander Nevsky Lavra rests The Town Russian Cemetery, also known as Lazarevskoe Cemetery. It is a place where the echoes of Saint Petersburg’s illustrious past intertwine with the tranquility of the present. Let us journey back to 1716, a year marked by the passing of Peter the Great’s sister, Natalya Alexeyevna. Peter decreed that she be laid to rest within the nascent Alexander Nevsky Monastery. This act marked the beginning of The Town Russian Cemetery’s story. In 1717, Natalya Alexeyevna was interred in the Church of St. Lazarus. This unassuming church, the first stone structure within the monastery complex, lent its name to the cemetery. The Town Russian Cemetery quickly ascended to become the most coveted burial ground in the burgeoning city. Only with Peter’s personal sanction could one secure a place among the elite within these hallowed grounds. As the 18th century unfolded, The Town Russian Cemetery became the final resting place for members of Peter’s family, his esteemed court, and eventually, wealthy merchant families who paid handsomely for the privilege. The cemetery is more than just a burial ground. It is an open-air museum showcasing the artistry of prominent Russian sculptors. Masters like Ivan Martos and Mikhail Kozlovsky crafted elaborate funerary monuments that adorn the graves. These monuments tell silent stories of lives lived, achievements earned, and the artistic sensibilities of a bygone era. By the early 19th century, space within The Town Russian Cemetery became scarce. New cemeteries were established within the monastery complex, and burials at The Town Russian Cemetery became less frequent. The early 20th century witnessed the final interments, culminating with the burial of Count Sergei Witte in 1915. The cemetery officially closed to new burials in 1919. During the Soviet era, The Town Russian Cemetery transformed. Recognizing the historical and artistic significance of the site, the authorities declared it the “Necropolis of the Eighteenth Century” in 1932. It became a part of the State Museum of Urban Sculpture. Less significant graves were cleared, making way for monuments and remains deemed historically or artistically valuable. These were relocated from demolished churches and burial grounds, further enriching The Town Russian Cemetery’s tapestry of stories. As you stand here, within the quiet confines of The Town Russian Cemetery, you are surrounded by the spirits of those who shaped Saint Petersburg’s history. From prominent military figures like Field Marshal Boris Sheremetev and General Adam Veyde, to renowned academics like Mikhail Lomonosov and Stepan Krasheninnikov, their legacies live on. Playwrights, architects, statesmen, and even the wife of the celebrated Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, all found their final repose in this remarkable place. The Town Russian Cemetery remains a poignant reminder of Saint Petersburg’s rich past, a place where history, art, and remembrance converge.