The ancient necropolises were preserved in many ancient cities. Not an exception and the center of the Tula region, where the most interesting and large of the ancient is the All-Svyatsky cemetery. Tula is a city, in our time - the regional center, located about 200 kilometers from Moscow. What is interesting about its main ancient necropolis?
History of the cemetery
In 1771 on the territory of the modern Tula region and some neighboring regions, an epidemic of plague was recorded. In this regard, the Senate issued a decree "On the non-burial in the cities of the churches, and on the assignment for this in the country ..." On the outskirts of the city, a new necropolis was organized, originally only those who died from "pestilence" were buried here. And the All-Svyatsky cemetery appeared at that time, Tula was already a fairly large city, and the plague epidemic did not cause serious damage to its population, according to reports, only 12 males died (the number of deaths of women is not fixed) .A very soon in the cemetery Bury the inhabitants of the city, sk For a variety of reasons, the necropolis was dug and then a wooden church was built on its territory.
Cathedral of All Saints at the All Saints Cemetery
In 1773 it was decided to rebuild the wooden church. It was decided to build a new building out of stone. The construction of the temple funds donated local merchants Nicephorus Devyatkin and Stefan Sushkin. Already in 1776, a single-storey church was consecrated and open to parishioners. Gradually, the building was completed and rebuilt, and in 1803 collection began of donations for the construction of the bell tower at the church. Today, it is on this architectural ensemble that many people recognize the All Saints Cemetery. Tula has always been a major industrial and economic center. Just like the temple, the bell tower was erected on the donations of parishioners. The construction was completed in 1863. The total height of the bell tower together with the spire is 82 meters, for a long time this building was the dominant vertical in the city. Over time, the church received the status of All-Svyatsky Cathedral, today it is one of the largest temples of the Tula region. Despite the active development in the city, the Orthodox ensemble is still seen today from many places in Tula. Since 2003, the bell tower of the cathedral is illuminated at night.
Vsekhsvyatsky necropolis in the XIX-XX centuries
The cemetery quickly expanded, and gradually here began to bury the deceased in several tiers. Fresh burials were too close to the surface of the earth, for this reason there was a peculiar smell on the pogost. Outraged many residents of the city from the sanitary point of view. In 1839, on the initiative of the governor of Tula AE Averkiev, the cemetery territory was landscaped. On the perimeter of the necropolis, a tall tree was dug and a ditch was dug. Time passed, and residential quarters began to appear around the ancient cemetery. In this case, the necropolis remained active. In 1847, in response to complaints from residents of the neighborhoods of the cemetery, Governor N. N. Muraviev ordered to improve the cemetery. On the territory of the necropolis appeared guard house for watchmen, as well as reconstruction of the fences of the cemetery borders. In 1864, at the request of the parishioners of the Catholic community on the necropolis, a designated site for Lutheran Catholic graves appeared. From the main part, it was separated by a moat, and also built a separate entrance with gates-turrets in the Gothic style (preserved to this day). Previously, only Orthodox were buried here, since 1864 the All-Svyatitskoye cemetery (Tula) has become multi-confessional. In 1900 the construction of a red brick fence began.
Ancient necropolis today
In 1968, the cemetery received the status of a memorial and mass graves on its territory cease. Nowadays only funeral urns with ashes can be held here. As an exception, in 2000, the abbot of the All-Svyatsky Cathedral Anatoly Rodionov was buried in the necropolis. Not long ago, the altar-girl of the Nihla Schemonah was also buried. All-Svyatsky cemetery in Tula has a great historical, artistic and cultural significance. Many prominent figures of the city are buried on its territory. Do not underestimate the diversity of tombstones and fences. Today the necropolis occupies more than 34 hectares. Here scientists and representatives of the local historical and architectural museum conduct research. In this case, the necropolis remains a memorial and is already open as a tourist site. Today, everyone can visit the All-Svyatsky Cemetery (Tula) as part of an organized group with a guide. The excursion is paid, it is carried out by appointment. For her order, contact the Tula Necropolis Museum.
Sights of the All Saints Cemetery
You can enter the territory of the necropolis through the central entrance, located at the intersection of Leo Tolstoy and Pirogov streets. Going through the gate, you can enjoy in full the majestic view of the ensemble of the cathedral with the bell tower. Between the temple and the main gate is a family burial, decorated with marble sculptures of angels. Nearby you can also see the crypt chapel of NI Zhdanovsky. Lovers of old architecture will be interested in walking through the territory of the cemetery. There are a lot of ancient tombstones here. These are the sarcophagi, adorned with elaborate carvings, and obelisks made of granite, as well as forged, cast-iron and wooden crosses. Considering the design of graves, you can trace how interesting and mysterious sometimes intertwined Orthodox and pagan motifs. And all this is the Tula Vsekhsvyatskoe cemetery. Tula legends and ancient legends are kept very carefully. According to some versions, the All-Svyatsky necropolis was founded on the site of the more ancient Old Believers. To date, experts have investigated only 4 hectares of the entire territory. Probably, we still have a lot of interesting and amazing discoveries.
Graves of outstanding people
At the All-Svyatsky cemetery there are family necropolises and solitary graves of many famous figures of the region. Here are buried: PP Belousov (doctor, creator of the main city park), FV Tokarev (designer of the arms factory), D. Ya. Vanykin (founder of the Vanykinsky hospital), E. Skvoronsky (architect), N.I. Beloborodov (the inventor of chromatic harmony), R. Ya. Dreyer (founder of the Railway Hospital), NI Troitsky (writer) and many other outstanding people. How to find a concrete grave, if you know exactly what is the burial place of the city of Tula? Vsekhsvyatskoe cemetery the list of burial places is from the moment of its foundation. The remaining archives are in the museum of the Tula Necropolis.
Vsekhsvyatskoe cemetery (Tula): how to get there by public and private transport?
An ancient necropolis is located in the heart of the city. The cemetery wall runs parallel to the streets of Maurice Therese, Leo Tolstoy and Timiryazev. The main entrance to the territory is at the intersection of Pirogov and Leo Tolstoy. The easiest way to get there by car is by the navigator. The exact address of the All-Saints Cathedral: st. Leo Tolstoy, building 79. By public transport should get to the stop "st. Pirogov ", and then go straight on this street. Once the burial of the Germans at the All-Svyatsky cemetery Tula had a separate entrance. Today you can get to the non-Orthodox part of the cemetery only by walking along the central avenue from the cathedral.