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Novodevichy Cemetery
Novodevichy Cemetery
from Wikipedia
The cemetery wall is used as a columbarium.

Key Information

Novodevichy Cemetery (Russian: Новодевичье кладбище, romanizedNovodevichye kladbishche) is a cemetery in Moscow, Russia. It lies next to the southern wall of the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent, which is the city's third most popular tourist site.[1]

History

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The cemetery was designed by Ivan Mashkov and inaugurated in 1898.[2] Its importance dates from the 1930s, when the necropolises of the medieval Muscovite monasteries (Simonov, Danilov, Donskoy) were scheduled for demolition. Only the Donskoy survived the Joseph Stalin era relatively intact. The remains of many famous Russians buried in other abbeys, such as Nikolai Gogol and Sergey Aksakov, were disinterred and reburied at the Novodevichy.

A 19th-century necropolis within the walls of the Novodevichy convent, which contained the graves of about 2000 Russian noblemen and university professors, also underwent reconstruction. The vast majority of graves were destroyed. It was at that time that the remains of Anton Chekhov were moved outside the monastery walls. His grave served as the kernel of the so-called "cherry orchard" – a section of the cemetery which contains the graves of Konstantin Stanislavski and the leading actors of his company.

Interments

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During the Soviet Union, burial in the Novodevichy Cemetery was second in prestige only to burial in the Kremlin Wall Necropolis.[citation needed] Among the Soviet leaders, Nikita Khrushchev and Mikhail Gorbachev would be buried there.[3] Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Kremlin Wall is no longer used for burials and the Novodevichy Cemetery is used for only the most symbolically significant burials. In 1997, former premier Nikolai Tikhonov was buried in the cemetery at state expense (since he didn't have any money of his own).[4] In April 2007, within one week both the first President of the Russian Federation Boris Yeltsin and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich were buried there.[5]

Today, the cemetery holds the tombs of Russian authors, musicians, playwrights, and poets, as well as famous actors, political leaders, and scientists.[6][7] Notable burials include Dmitry Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev and Anton Chekhov.[3] More than 27,000 are buried at Novodevichy. There is scant space for more burials. A new national cemetery has been opened in Mytishchi north of Moscow.

The cemetery has a park-like ambience, dotted with small chapels and large sculpted monuments. It is divided into the old (Divisions 1–4), new (Divisions 5–8) and newest (Divisions 9–11) sections; maps are available at the cemetery office.[8]

Monuments

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Notable graves

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The following noteworthy graves, among others, can be found at Novodevichy Cemetery:

1850s

1880s-1890s

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Novodevichy Cemetery (Russian: Новодевичье кладбище) is a prominent historic cemetery in southwestern , , situated adjacent to the southern wall of the 16th-century . Established in 1898, it expanded significantly in the 1930s through the relocation of graves from suppressed monasteries and churches amid Soviet anti-religious policies, transforming it into a key necropolis rivaling the Kremlin Wall. Renowned for its artistic gravestones and memorials, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for numerous influential Russians, including writers and , composers and , filmmaker , and political leaders such as and . This concentration of burials underscores its role as a pantheon of 20th-century Russian cultural and political elites, with many interments reflecting state directives or personal prestige during the Soviet era.

Location and Physical Characteristics

Geographical Position and Association with Novodevichy Convent

Novodevichy Cemetery occupies a site in southwestern Moscow's Khamovniki District, at Novodevichy Proezd 1-25, with approximate coordinates of 55.725° N latitude and 37.554° E longitude. This positioning places it roughly 6 kilometers southwest of central Moscow's Red Square, bordering the Moskva River and integrated into the urban fabric beyond the Third Ring Road. The cemetery directly adjoins the southern wall of the adjacent , a fortified 16th-century complex founded in 1524 by Vasily III as part of Moscow's defensive monastic chain. This spatial linkage underscores the cemetery's origins on historically monastic terrain, with the convent—recognized as a since 2004 for its —serving as both a physical boundary and cultural anchor. Physically, the grounds encompass an older section enclosed within the convent's walls, featuring restricted access primarily for religious or special purposes, alongside a principal newer expanse extending southward from the enclosure. The total area spans about 7.5 hectares, bounded by the convent's fortifications to the north and urban pathways to the south and east. This configuration maintains a compact, walled perimeter that preserves the site's insular character amid Moscow's expansion.

Layout, Sections, and Accessibility

Novodevichy Cemetery is divided into an old section situated within the grounds of the adjacent and a new section extending beyond the convent's southern wall, reflecting expansions primarily from the Soviet era onward. The site comprises 11 numbered sections totaling about 7.5 hectares, enabling systematic navigation via provided maps available at the entrance office. Originally designed by architect Ivan Mashkov and opened in 1898, the layout incorporates winding paths shaded by mature trees, which guide visitors through densely packed grave plots while maintaining a park-like atmosphere. Neoclassical-style gates serve as the primary entrance, complemented by perimeter walls that enclose the grounds and separate it from the surrounding urban environment. Public access is facilitated daily, typically from morning to evening hours, with an entry fee of approximately 300 rubles per person, though some reports indicate it may be waived or lower for certain visitors. Guided tours, lasting 1.5 to 3 hours and costing 1,500 to 5,000 rubles including fees, are available through local operators to assist in orientation. is permitted throughout most areas, subject to respectful conduct amid the site's solemn purpose, while recent digital mapping tools and mobile applications enhance visitor navigation to specific sections.

Historical Development

Founding and Pre-Revolutionary Era (1898–1917)

The Novodevichy Cemetery was opened in 1898 by Moscow municipal authorities adjacent to the southern wall of the to address overcrowding in the convent's existing burial ground. This new site functioned as a general for Orthodox Christian burials, accommodating local residents, clergy, and modest graves rather than serving as a prestigious . Initial interments reflected standard Tsarist-era practices, with limited development and no significant state-driven expansions prior to 1917. The cemetery's early cultural prominence emerged with the burial of playwright and author on July 22, 1904, after his body was transported from where he had died four days earlier. Chekhov's grave, marked by a simple cross designed in accordance with his wishes for modesty, drew crowds and marked the site's initial appeal to literary figures amid Moscow's urban growth. However, through 1917, burials remained primarily routine, with the cemetery covering approximately 7.5 hectares and prioritizing ecclesiastical oversight over monumental displays. Pre-revolutionary usage underscored the era's decentralized approach to burials, favoring proximity to convents and churches for Orthodox rites rather than creating elite state memorials. By 1917, the cemetery had interred thousands but lacked the ideological prestige that would develop later, maintaining its role as a functional extension of the convent's traditions.

Soviet Period Expansion and Prestige (1917–1991)

Following the Bolshevik Revolution, Novodevichy Cemetery underwent significant expansion through targeted reinterments, particularly in the 1930s, as part of Stalinist efforts to consolidate cultural heritage amid the demolition of religious sites. Remains of prominent pre-revolutionary figures, such as writer , exhumed from in 1931, and Sergei Aksakov, relocated from Simonov Monastery in 1930, were transferred here to centralize national memory under state control. These actions reflected a policy of repurposing sacred spaces for secular elite commemoration, with early Soviet-era burials including , Joseph Stalin's second wife, following her on , 1932. The cemetery emerged as the second-most prestigious burial ground in the , surpassed only by the reserved for paramount leaders and revolutionaries. This hierarchy underscored privileges extended to party elites, military commanders, and cultural contributors, even as purges decimated ranks and inflicted massive losses. Burials here symbolized ideological continuity, with state-orchestrated funerals reinforcing loyalty to the regime; , a long-serving member, was interred on October 21, 1978, exemplifying such honors for surviving old guard figures. A notable exception among top leaders was , buried on October 1, 1971, after his 1964 ouster, with a modernist tomb designed by sculptor Ernst Neizvestny—despite Khrushchev's prior 1962 denunciation of Neizvestny's as degenerate. By the late Soviet period, the cemetery hosted over 27,000 graves, peaking in usage during and after the war years when interments of decorated generals and ideologues filled sections, prioritizing those aligned with Bolshevik narratives over mass civilian casualties.

Post-Soviet Burials and Administrative Changes (1991–Present)

Following the in 1991, Novodevichy Cemetery retained its status as a premier burial site for Russia's political elite, though the ideological imperatives of Soviet-era interments gave way to burials emphasizing national symbolism. , Russia's first post-Soviet president, was interred there on April 25, 2007, after a at the , marking a departure from the , which ceased new burials in 1985. This choice underscored continuity in prestige for high-profile figures while reflecting reduced reliance on sites amid post-communist transitions. The cemetery continued to host burials of prominent individuals, including military leaders and cultural figures, under evolving criteria prioritizing symbolic national importance over party loyalty. , the last Soviet leader, was buried on September 3, 2022, adjacent to his wife Raisa in Novodevichy, following a funeral at the ; however, the event lacked a declared day of or attendance by President , highlighting public and official ambivalence toward his legacy of reforms leading to the USSR's collapse. Administrative oversight shifted to the Moscow city government, which manages the site alongside other municipal cemeteries, maintaining access for relatives and select burials without significant expansions since 1991. In the 2020s, the cemetery faced challenges from economic pressures affecting grave maintenance, with reports of municipal efforts to allocate plots via state enterprises like amid occasional disputes over upkeep for non- sites. No major physical expansions occurred, preserving the site's historical layout, while its role diminished in absolute prestige as alternative cemeteries emerged, though it remains reserved for figures such as and deemed nationally significant.

Monuments and Artistic Features

Overall Design and Architectural Influences

The Novodevichy Cemetery was designed by Ivan Mashkov and opened in 1898 adjacent to the southern wall of the , incorporating a structured layout with divided sections to accommodate burials systematically. The initial plan allocated approximately two hectares of former monastery gardens for expansion, featuring paths and green spaces that facilitate navigation and provide a landscaped environment typical of 19th-century necropolises. This spatial arrangement prioritizes accessibility and visual hierarchy, with central alleys directing toward key areas near the convent boundary. Architecturally, the cemetery's early design draws on eclectic elements in its memorials, emphasizing individualized stone carvings that depict the deceased's profession or status, creating a gallery-like aesthetic rather than uniform gravestones. Mashkov's background in restoring historic structures, such as the Dormition Cathedral in the , influenced a timeless uniformity in the stonework, blending classical proportions with practical functionality for perpetual maintenance. While not explicitly neoclassical in layout, the overall framework echoes European garden cemetery principles through its integration of greenery and winding paths amid , fostering a contemplative atmosphere. During the Soviet era, expansions southward introduced additional sections from the 1930s onward, incorporating motifs and 1950s influences aligned with socialist realism's emphasis on monumental simplicity and secular themes, eschewing religious iconography like crosses or angels. These additions contrasted earlier ornamental tendencies with austere slabs and ideological symbolism, reflecting state-directed aesthetic shifts toward collectivism over individualism. The terraced progression of sections enhanced visibility across the grounds, optimizing the site's 8-hectare expanse for both practical interment and public commemoration.

Specific Sculptural and Memorial Elements

One of the most distinctive sculptural elements in Novodevichy Cemetery is the 1974 monument to , designed by Ernst Neizvestny in an style that diverged from prevailing . The work consists of a bust encircled by interlocking black and white slabs forming abstract, turbulent forms, with the contrasting colors intended to represent the dual aspects of Khrushchev's character—his progressive reforms alongside authoritarian measures. Soviet-era memorials frequently incorporate motifs of realism, particularly in depictions of military figures rendered in atop red bases or obelisks, symbolizing steadfast loyalty to the state and ideals through angular, monumental forms evoking strength and permanence. Post-Stalin commissions introduced modernist influences, such as streamlined abstractions and symbolic geometries in materials like polished and , reflecting a shift toward individualized expression amid ideological constraints. Common elements include five-pointed stars cast in to denote heroic service, and pylons or steles etched with reliefs of hammers and sickles signifying proletarian labor. Granite predominates in 20th-century works for its durability against Moscow's harsh climate, though exposure has led to visible weathering on patinas and surfaces over decades. Some post-2000 interventions have involved cleaning and stabilization of these elements to preserve structural integrity, though specific records of anti-vandalism measures remain limited.

Interment Practices and Notable Figures

Criteria and Processes for Burial

Prior to the , burial in the Novodevichy Cemetery extension, established in 1898 adjacent to the , was reserved for individuals deemed outstanding in intellectual, cultural, or political spheres, reflecting a selective influenced by oversight due to the site's monastic affiliation. Eligibility emphasized contributions to Russian arts and state service, with interments requiring alignment with Orthodox traditions and likely convent or church sanction to maintain the site's sanctity as an extension of consecrated grounds. During the Soviet period (1917–1991), criteria shifted toward political prestige and regime loyalty, with burial rights granted almost exclusively through Politburo approval, subordinating broader merit to alignment with Communist Party hierarchies and symbolic value to the state. This process prioritized elites whose fame or service reinforced Soviet narratives, often overriding individual achievements independent of ideology, as evidenced by decisions favoring party-affiliated figures over non-conformist contributors. Plots were allocated strategically near high-status sections, with state-orchestrated funerals for dignitaries involving ceremonial processions and media coverage to amplify ideological impact, while traditional prevailed over emerging practices elsewhere in the USSR. Since 1991, post-Soviet administration has vested approval authority in municipal bodies, such as the mayor's office and ritual services under entities like the "Ritual" enterprise, favoring burials for those with nationally significant contributions in , , or , though selections continue to reflect status rather than universal merit. For select high-profile cases, the state covers costs and coordinates plots proximate to notable predecessors; otherwise, families fund expenses, with no formal cremation preference, preserving the cemetery's emphasis on monumental interment amid Russia's lower rates compared to .

Political and Military Elites

Novodevichy Cemetery contains the graves of key Soviet and post-Soviet political figures whose tenures shaped Russia's 20th-century trajectory, often embodying the era's ideological shifts and power consolidations. , who served as First Secretary of the Communist Party of the from 1953 to 1964, died on September 11, 1971, and was interred in the cemetery shortly thereafter, marking a rare exception for a Soviet outside the Wall. His leadership featured the 1956 denouncement of Stalin's , exposing purges that claimed millions of lives, yet it also included aggressive moves, such as the 1962 , which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Boris Yeltsin, Russia's first president from 1991 to 1999, oversaw the and early market reforms amid economic turmoil; he died on April 23, 2007, from heart failure and was buried in the cemetery on April 25, 2007, following a . , the final General Secretary of the Communist Party from 1985 to 1991 and initiator of and , died on August 30, 2022, at age 91; he was laid to rest on September 3, 2022, adjacent to his wife Raisa in the cemetery, without full state honors from the Russian government. Gorbachev's reforms accelerated the USSR's collapse, earning Western acclaim for facilitating but drawing Russian condemnation for precipitating national fragmentation and socioeconomic decline. The cemetery also holds numerous high-ranking Soviet military officers, underscoring the intertwining of martial prowess and political loyalty in the USSR's command structure. Marshal , a key commander in the 1941–1942 Moscow defense and later involved in the 1953 arrest of , died on June 17, 1985, and was buried there. General Alexander Rodimtsev, renowned for leading the 13th Guards Rifle Division at the 1942 , shares the site with peers like General Ivan Petrov, a veteran of operations. These interments highlight triumphs in the Great Patriotic War, which repelled Nazi invasion at a cost of over 26 million Soviet lives, even as the officer corps had navigated Stalin's prewar purges that decimated up to 90% of senior commanders by 1941.

Literary, Artistic, and Scientific Contributors

, the Russian playwright and short-story writer renowned for works such as and , was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery on July 22, 1904, following his death in from . His interment marked one of the earliest prominent cultural burials in the site, established just six years prior, underscoring its emerging status as a repository for national literary figures. Nikolai Gogol's remains were relocated to Novodevichy in 1931 from the demolished St. Daniel's Monastery, where he had been originally interred in 1852 after his death from self-imposed starvation amid spiritual crisis. This reburial, part of a broader Soviet effort to consolidate graves of pre-revolutionary luminaries from razed monastic sites, preserved the legacy of the author of Dead Souls and The Overcoat, whose satirical portrayals critiqued Russian bureaucracy and serfdom. Similarly, Mikhail Bulgakov, known for The Master and Margarita—a novel blending fantasy and critique of Soviet totalitarianism—was interred there in 1940, shortly after his death from nephrosclerosis, with his wife Elena later joining him. In the realm of music, composers Dmitry Shostakovich and represent pivotal Soviet-era contributions, both buried at Novodevichy. Shostakovich, whose symphonies like No. 7 ("Leningrad") navigated Stalinist repression while encoding dissent, died on August 9, 1975, and was laid to rest amid public mourning attended by thousands. Prokofiev, composer of and , succumbed to a cerebral hemorrhage on March 5, 1953—the same day as Stalin's death—and was buried unceremoniously in the cemetery, his grave later marked simply. These placements canonized musical innovators who balanced artistic innovation with regime demands. Artistic figures include filmmaker , interred in 1948 after directing , a seminal work in montage theory that influenced global cinema. Painter , celebrated for realist portraits like The Rape of Europa, was buried in 1911, exemplifying the cemetery's role in honoring visual arts from the . Sculptor Lev Kerbel, designer of numerous Soviet monuments, found his final rest there in 2001, reflecting continuity in monumental art. Scientific interments highlight Soviet achievements in polar exploration and aviation. , mathematician and Arctic researcher who led expeditions establishing Soviet claims in the 1930s, was buried in 1956. Aircraft designer , founder of the IL series bombers and passenger planes pivotal in , died in 1977 and was interred, embodying applied scientific innovation in engineering. These burials, often reinterments or selective honors, affirm Novodevichy's function in perpetuating Russia's intellectual and creative heritage beyond political spheres.

Symbolic Role and Preservation

Reflection of Russian Power Structures and National Memory

Novodevichy Cemetery embodies the persistence of hierarchical elite selection in Russian power structures, where burial privileges have rewarded loyalty to the state from the imperial era—linked to the convent's role in housing and royal figures—to Soviet commissars and post-Soviet leaders like , interred there in 2007 following his designation of as successor. This pattern causally ties prestige interments to service within dominant regimes, sidelining those outside loyalty networks, such as major dissidents who received no such honors despite their cultural impact. The cemetery's approximately 27,000 graves prioritize political and military figures emblematic of state power, including , whose 1971 burial there marked a demotion from Wall status due to his de-Stalinization critiques, yet affirmed his elite standing. In contrast, the millions affected by Soviet purges—estimated at over 680,000 executions during the Great Terror alone—lack comparable commemoration, reflecting a toward glorifying regime beneficiaries over victims or challengers. As a curated site of national memory, Novodevichy ranks second in prestige to the , enabling state control over death narratives that reinforce identity around elite achievements rather than collective traumas. Its role as a spot draws visitors to graves symbolizing Russian prowess, but inclusions like Mikhail Gorbachev's 2022 interment—next to his wife amid protests—expose fractures: Russian nationalists, viewing him as the USSR's dismantler, criticized the honor, while international liberals praised his reforms, underscoring how burial choices perpetuate biased representations over inclusive reckoning.

Restoration Efforts, Maintenance, and Visitor Impact

Restoration efforts at Novodevichy Cemetery have focused on preserving individual monuments recognized as sites, with projects intensifying in the post-Soviet era. In 2018, the Moscow city government completed a four-month restoration of painter Igor Grabar's tombstone, addressing wear on the structure designated as a regional heritage site since 1992. Private initiatives have supplemented state efforts, such as the 2012 reconstruction of Nikolai Ilyich Tchaikovsky's memorial, funded by RWM Capital to repair long-neglected elements. These works often target Soviet-era sculptures and markers susceptible to environmental degradation, though comprehensive overhauls remain limited by available resources. Ongoing maintenance draws from Moscow's municipal budget for historical cemeteries, prioritizing security and structural integrity amid urban pressures. Vandalism poses a persistent , exemplified by the 2019 defacement of composer Dmitri Shostakovich's gravestone, which highlighted vulnerabilities in high-profile areas. Funding constraints differentiate elite sites like Novodevichy from standard municipal graveyards, enabling specialized care but not eliminating issues like material fatigue from exposure. Visitor traffic, while boosting awareness and indirect revenue through adjacent , exerts physical strain via footpath erosion and accumulation. The cemetery draws substantial annual crowds for its notable interments, prompting adaptations like the 2016 rollout of free hotspots to facilitate digital access to biographical data and maps, reducing unstructured wandering. This supports educational visits but underscores tensions: enhanced accessibility aids preservation funding via heightened cultural value, yet amplifies threats from unregulated crowds, as evidenced by isolated incidents.

References

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