"Literary bridges" Volkovsky cemetery, St. Petersburg: description, features and location

In walking distance from the metro station "Volkovskaya", on the territory of the Volkovsky cemetery, there is a famous necropolis called "Literary Bridge". The monument attracts attention because it is the burial place of many outstanding personalities who lived in the XIX and XX century: writers and poets, composers and actors, scientists and public figures are buried here. Since 1933, the cemetery is considered closed, but in rare cases, there are still burials. To date, visitors can view more than 500 tombstones, representing both cultural, historical and artistic value.

To realize the cultural value that this object has, it is necessary to mention who is buried on the "Literary Bridge" of Volkovsky Cemetery.

Historical reference

The cemetery itself was founded in 1756 and was intended for poor people. For several decades the place was not landscaped, it was difficult to reach some parts because there were no roads or paths.

The history of the Literary Footbridge of the Volkovsky Cemetery in St. Petersburg dates back to 1802, when the well-known writer and public figure Alexander Radishchev, author of "Travels from St. Petersburg to Moscow" was buried here. The location of the grave is unknown, the tombstone is also not preserved. However, information about the burial is contained in church reports, and in 1987 a corresponding commemorative plaque was opened in the necropolis.

Early burials

One of the early burials dates back to 1831, when Anton Delvig, a friend of Pushkin, was buried at Volkovsky Cemetery. "Literary bridge" at that time did not exist as a separate cultural object, and the ashes of the poet were transferred to the Tikhvin cemetery of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra hundred years later, however, in the context of events related to the formation of the necropolis, this event should be noted.

In 1848, famous critic VG Belinsky was buried here, and in 1861 NA Dobrolyubov. Their gravestones are next to each other and surrounded by a common cast-iron fence. Nearby is another well-known domestic critic, DI Pisarev.

The end of XIX - the beginning of the XX century

Later, towards the end of the 19th century, the famous writers ME Saltykov-Shchedrin, IS Turgenev, NS Leskov, AI Kuprin and many others were buried here. In the XX century, when some city cemeteries were decided to be moved or destroyed, the remains of IA Goncharov, AA Blok and other prominent representatives of Russian literature, art, and science were transferred to the necropolis. In some cases, however, only memorable signs were transported, but not the ashes of the deceased themselves.

Despite the fact that the object of cultural heritage is called the "Literary Bridge", scientists, revolutionaries, representatives of various professions who have won fame and respect in their field of activity are buried at Volkovsky Cemetery. Here lie the famous physicians, academicians IP Pavlov and VM Bekhterev, the creator of the periodic table of chemical elements DI Mendeleev, the traveler and ethnographer NN Miklukho-Maklai, the inventor of the radio AS Popov.

In 1935, the object became part of the State Museum of Urban Sculpture.

How to get there

The nearest metro station from which you can reach the necropolis is Volkovskaya. The question of how to get to the "Literary Bridge" Volkovsky cemetery, should not arise: immediately after the exit from the metro you can see the graves on the opposite side of the road. The desired site, where the necropolis is located, is in the northern part of the cemetery. Accordingly, in order to achieve the goal, the visitor will need to round him around the perimeter, walking along the fence along Kasimovskaya Street, passing to Kamchatka.

Another way is to get off at Obvodny Canal metro station and take the bus at number 74, going to the desired destination. It will take 7 stops, the final point of the route will be located on the right hand relative to the direction of traffic.

Finally, you can get off at Ligovsky Prospekt station and wait for a tram number 49 or 25. Any of these methods will take you to the Literary Bridge, and to ensure that you do not make a mistake, you can ask the conductor to notify you of the required stop. The purpose of the trip in this case will be on the left.

Working hours and excursions

The cultural site is open for visits on weekends, and on weekdays - an exception is Thursday, when the museum does not work. Opening hours of the Literary Bridge "Volkovsky cemetery in the summer period - from 10 to 19 in any of the specified days. Between September and May, a pass to the territory is carried out from 10 to 17 hours.

In addition, there are various excursions, during which visitors can not only look at the places of rest of the great, but also learn much about their biography, as well as the history of the necropolis itself, much more interesting than it may seem at first glance.

The cost of the ticket for an independent visit is only 100 rubles, and for categories of citizens who have privileges - 50 rubles. The cost of excursions can vary depending on the duration and starts from 1000 rubles. At the same time on Thursdays, when the "Literary bridges" of the Volkovsky cemetery are closed for independent visits, excursion service is conducted in the usual mode.

For information or booking excursions, you can use the phone number indicated on the official website.

Finally

It is not known why the necropolis was called the "Literary Bridge", because the last resort was found here by representatives of various professions. However, in visiting this place there is something poetic - a tourist is immersed in the atmosphere of not a cemetery, but an object of cultural heritage, storing the memory of several hundred famous and even outstanding personalities who have left their mark on history.

Understanding of the fact that people who know and love books from childhood, whose works have moved forward the national and world science, rest in this earth, generates a desire to learn more about their biography and the history of their native country. "Literary bridges" of the Volkov cemetery represent an integral part of the city's image and preserve the memory of people whose names are worthy of the memory and respect of future generations.