Lost souls rest here. This is the Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof in Potsdam. It is a place of peace. It is next to the Alexander-Newski-Kirche.
Welcome to a unique site. The Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof offers a glimpse into Potsdam’s religious past. This small cemetery holds stories of faith. It also shows community.
The Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof began in 2007. It sits on Kapellenberg. This land adjoins the Alexander-Newski-Kirche. This church is historically significant. King Friedrich Wilhelm III ordered its construction. It was for Russian soldiers. These soldiers sang in the Alexandrowka colony.
The church design blends Russian and Prussian styles. Saint Petersburg architect, Wassili Petrowitsch Stassow designed it. Karl Friedrich Schinkel added classic elements. The church honors Tsar Alexander I. He died in 1825. The church is named after Alexander Jaroslawitsch Newski. He was a Russian prince. He became a saint in the 16th century.
The Alexander-Newski-Kirche is the oldest Russian Orthodox church in Western Europe. It copies old Russian architecture. UNESCO protects it as part of Potsdam and Berlin’s palaces and parks.
Why was the Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof established? The Russian Orthodox community needed a burial ground. Only deserving clergy and members are buried here. These people greatly served the church.
The Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof has only 15 graves. Each tells a story of devotion. One notable grave belongs to Archpriest Nikolaus Markewitz. He lived from 1898 to 1968. His wife Maria is also buried here. She lived from 1901 to 1971. Their graves are the newest.
Karl Friedrich Schinkel designed the fence around the small cemetery. In March 1830, he planned a four-foot-high cast iron fence. It has four entrances. Sandstone pillars mark these entrances. The pillars have onion-shaped tops. This reflects the church’s domes.
The Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof connects to the Alexander-Newski-Kirche. This church faced challenges. After World War I, the Russian church split. Connections to Moscow ended. In 1934, the Evangelical Kaiserin-Auguste-Victoria-Gedächtniskirche managed the church. Now it is called Pfingstkirche. After World War II, the Red Army occupied Alexandrowka. In 1949, the Russian Orthodox Church regained control.
Today, the Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof is a reminder of Potsdam’s diverse religious history. It is a quiet place for reflection. It is next to a beautiful and historically important church. The Russisch-orthodoxer Friedhof stands as a testament to faith. It honors those who dedicated their lives to the church. It also symbolizes the enduring link between Russia and Prussia.