Vagankovskoye Cemetery

Vagankovskoye Cemetery is an outstanding historical monument of the capital, where tragic pages of the past intertwine with the fates of great figures of Russian culture. This necropolis has become the final resting place for hundreds of thousands of people and a pilgrimage site for art lovers from all over the country.

The Founding of the Necropolis and the Era of Epidemics

The official opening date is considered to be 1771, when the capital was gripped by a terrible plague epidemic. Count Orlov decided to organize burials in areas remote from the city limits. Mass graves were created without observing traditional rites — people feared infection, so funeral services were not held. The cholera epidemic of 1830 led to the expansion of the necropolis territory. An additional cemetery appeared nearby, which was later merged with the main site. By the middle of the 19th century, burials were organized into rows with different price categories for plots.

Transformation into an Elite Necropolis

In the period following the Patriotic War of 1812, the character of the cemetery changed. Military heroes and representatives of aristocratic families began to be buried here. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Moscow intelligentsia preferred Vagankovskoye Cemetery more often than traditional monastery necropolises. On a territory of 50 hectares, about 100,000 graves are now officially registered, although, taking into account mass graves, approximately half a million people rest here.

Famous Personalities Buried at Vagankovskoye Cemetery

The Grave of Sergei Yesenin: A Monument to the Great Poet

The legendary lyric poet of Russian poetry found his final resting place in plot No. 17 in 1925. The modern monument was installed in 1986 and is a unique work of art.

• The figure of the poet is carved directly from a massive granite block
• Yesenin is depicted with arms crossed over his chest in a pensive pose
• The name and dates are covered with gold leaf on a gray granite pedestal
• Nearby rests the poet’s mother, Tatyana Fyodorovna, who died in 1955

A tragic story is connected with Yesenin’s secretary Galina Benislavskaya, who committed suicide at the poet’s gravestone a year after his death.

Vladimir Vysotsky: A Symbol of an Unbroken Spirit

The bard’s grave is located in the first plot and greets visitors right at the entrance. Sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov created a monument filled with deep symbolism. Features of the composition:

• The bound figure symbolizes conflict with the authorities
• A guitar is depicted behind the back, which from a certain angle resembles a halo
• Silhouettes of horses refer to the famous song about “capricious horses”
• In 2020, a modernization took place — the head was replaced with a more defiant version

The height of the monument was increased by almost forty centimeters, since in the 1980s there were strict restrictions on the size of monuments.

Vladislav Listyev: Memory of the Tragedy of the 90s

The journalist, whose death in 1995 shocked the entire country, is buried not far from the main entrance. The gravestone stands out among others for its artistic expressiveness. A bronze female angel with outstretched wings seems to hover over a black granite slab. With her left hand she wipes away tears, embodying the nationwide grief for the prematurely departed TV presenter.

Other Outstanding Figures

Anatoly Tarasov — the legendary hockey coach who led the USSR national team to nine consecutive world championships. A granite block split in two is connected by hockey sticks, with the coach’s portrait placed above them. Igor Talkov rests behind the columbarium in plot No. 25. A bronze cross with inscriptions in Church Slavonic and a line from the song “I Will Return” has become a symbol of memory of the tragically deceased musician. Alexander Abdulov lies on the central alley. The monument is made of Karelian granite with carved letters forming something like a staircase.

Architectural Sights of the Necropolis

The Columbarium: The Country’s First Indoor Complex

Construction was completed in the late 1970s. The complex is divided into two zones:

1. An open area with urns walled into free-standing walls
2. A two-story building with internal cells for burials

All burials are decorated with strict granite slabs without monumental decorations.

The Church of the Resurrection of the Word

The church was consecrated in 1831, replacing a small wooden chapel. The architectural appearance reflects the Empire style:

• Characteristic rotunda
• Three-tier bell tower
• Continuous services even during the Soviet period

The name “Slovushchego” (“of the Word”) means “that which became known” and is traditional for cemetery churches, associated with the consecration of the Jerusalem Church of the Resurrection of Christ in the 4th century.

Practical Information for Visitors

Opening Hours and Seasonal Features

Summer period (May–September): daily from 09:00 to 19:00 Winter period (October–April): daily from 09:00 to 17:00 The necropolis is open every day, but it is recommended to take weather conditions into account when planning a visit.

Location and Transport Accessibility

Official address: Sergey Makeev Street, 15. The necropolis is located in the central part of the capital with convenient transport connections. Metro: the nearest station is “Ulitsa 1905 Goda”. The walk takes no more than ten minutes. Buses: routes No. 39, 64, 69, 869 and others with stops “Vagankovskoye Cemetery” and “Vagankovo”. Before visiting, it is advisable to study the territory map, as the necropolis is divided into 60 plots.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Vagankovskoye Cemetery is one of the most visited necropolises in Russia. Tourists from different regions and foreign countries come here to pay tribute to outstanding figures of culture and art. Current status: the cemetery is closed for new burials and is preserved as a historical landmark of Moscow. Free plots appear extremely rarely when remains are transferred from abandoned graves; the cost of such plots reaches the price of an apartment in the capital. Many travelers compare the necropolis to an open-air museum thanks to its unique monuments and gravestones created by talented sculptors.

Guided Tours

For a full acquaintance with the history and cultural heritage, it is recommended to use the services of professional guides. Experienced tour leaders will create an optimal route, share little-known facts about the buried celebrities, and help visitors not get lost on the vast 50-hectare territory. Independent inspection of all attractions in one visit is practically impossible due to the size of the necropolis and the number of interesting objects.

Final Reflections

Vagankovskoye Cemetery is a unique place where the history of Russia is embodied in the fates of specific people. From the first plague burials of the 18th century to outstanding representatives of culture of the 20th century — every era has left its mark here. The necropolis continues to live a special life: fans bring flowers to the graves of their favorite artists, researchers study gravestones, and tourists discover pages of national history for themselves. This is a place where the past and the present meet, creating a space for memory and reflections on the eternal.