Monuments to Gregory pan at the cemetery in Prague. Mystical walk through the Visegrad cemetery

The Vyšehrad cemetery is located in the most ancient part of Prague - in Vyšehrad. Vysehrad is an ancient fortress located on a hill, offering stunning views of the Vltava and Prague Castle.

Vysehrad is the abode of Czech rulers. It was from here that the first ruler of Prague, Princess Libuse, predicted Prague great destiny and glory. It is difficult to argue about fame - Prague is flooded with tourists in any season. And a visit to Visegrad, and with it the Visegrad cemetery, is included in the mandatory tourist program. And sometimes there are just the same crowds of people, especially on those days when a large number of tourist groups with guides flock.

To be honest, Visegrad Cemetery is not one of my favorites. It's too crowded here: the Japanese run around with cameras, there are guided tours in many languages, the feeling of being in a museum. Everything around seems to be washed and wiped with rags with cleansers, all the statues and tombstones are polished and restored. However, there is an explanation for this - the whole color of the Czech nation is buried here - artists, sculptors, writers, musicians, politicians.

As I wrote in my previous review of the Old Donskoy Cemetery, in Europe, cemeteries are treated differently than in Russia. Especially if this cemetery has the status of a museum. This cemetery is cherished, no one cries here, there is no mourning in the air. The Visegrad cemetery is a necropolis-museum. It is quite small, located behind and to the left of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul.

At the gate (which reverse side from the entrance to the basilica) flaunts the inscription Pax vobis - "Peace be with you."

The main "pearl" of the necropolis is the tomb of Slavin - a common grave (here it seems something like a military mass grave, but everything is completely different) the most prominent Czech figures - Alfons Mucha, Bogumil Kafka (not the Kafka who wrote "The Castle" and "The Metamorphosis", he is buried in Olshansky New Evroeysky), Karel Capek and many others.

The cemetery is not too old. It stands on the site of a very ancient graveyard, already dating back to the 12th century, but it was rebuilt and dug up, since the 17th century, the dead parishioners of the Vyshegrad chapter began to be buried here.

There is no special atmosphere in the cemetery. Even when I was walking here in a snowless and surprisingly warm December (in a dress without pantyhose and a warm jacket) early in the morning, and there was no one in the cemetery except me, I still didn’t feel anything special. There is no cemetery atmosphere at all, as if you are walking in a museum. Aunts periodically run with rags and buckets, rub marble, scrape fences.

From time to time I came there to take pictures, I shot there myself, but

in this regard, the Olshansky cemetery is more suitable, it is more beautiful there, and more and more wild, unbridled. You can feel the hand of time there, but on Visegradsky they argue over time.

Flowers are everywhere, in summer and winter - tourists and newlyweds, historical circles and various organizations constantly supply them to the dead.

The cemetery gallery pleases the eye.

There are simply amazing sculptures, you can look at them for hours.

Suddenly, the last statue does not shine with cleanliness, which is surprising.

And some more beautiful graveyard moments:

Vysehrad Cemetery in Prague is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful necropolises in the world. However, the reason for its popularity is different: in any other cemetery in Czech Republic you will not find such a collection of great names as here. Hundreds of prominent figures are buried in this land, who at one time contributed to the development of Czech culture, education, national identity and state independence.

Design and architecture

Initially, only individual monuments were erected at the Visegrad cemetery. The first of them appeared over the grave of the writer and philologist Vaclav Hanka not far from central entrance at the cemetery. At its top is the symbol of Svyatobor - three hands holding a circle, as a symbol of the main motto of the community “Help! Light up! Remember!

The first architect of the cemetery was Antonin Barvitius, and the Neo-Renaissance arcades with Tuscan columns and the tomb of Slavin surrounding it were designed by the talented architect Antonin Viel.

Josef Myslbek, Frantisek Bilek, Bogumil Kafka and others worked on the design of the cemetery tombstones prominent sculptors. The variety of styles and forms that they used in their work is undoubtedly admirable and allows you to trace the stages of development of the Czech language. art. Walking through the cemetery, you can see sculptures made of marble and bronze, paintings, mosaics, gilding, forged fences, metal lace and many other decorative elements of interest from the point of view of art.

Shrine of Slavin

The dominant feature of the entire cemetery is the tomb of Slavin, which was built in 1889-1893 at the end of the main alley. A granite staircase with balustrades leads to a small rectangular area - a plateau. The top of the central stone pedestal is crowned with the sculpture "The Winged Genius of the Motherland" by Josef Mauder. It depicts an angel leaning over the sarcophagus of the deceased, and at its foot, on the sides, there are two figures, symbolizing the Sorrowful Fatherland and the Victorious Fatherland. A plate with the names of the first 15 Czechs buried in Slavino is mounted on the facade of the tomb, the inscription above which reads "You are dead, but you are still talking." The pedestal is surrounded on three sides by walls with burial niches for urns and memorial plaques.

In 1929, under the guidance of the architect Josef Fant, the tomb was reconstructed: it was equipped with doors, windows, lamps and decorative bronze elements. The interior of the inner crypt was complemented by mosaics and wall cladding made of Italian marble, and an epitaph of the writer Franciszek Taborski appeared under the ceiling.

Famous personalities

The bodies and ashes of more than 600 figures of Czech culture are buried at the Visegrad Cemetery. The most famous writers buried here are: Bozena Nemtsova, Karel Ginek Macha and Vitezslav Nezval. By the way, when they see the name “Kafka” on the stove, many tourists mistakenly believe that one of the largest representatives of Czech culture, a writer, is buried in Slavin. However, this is just a coincidence of names. Franz, in accordance with his religion, is buried on, while the sculptor Bogumil Kafka, the author of the equestrian statue on, rests in Slavin.

Last resort Czech artists and sculptors found at the Visegrad cemetery: Julius Marzhak, Karel Purkyne, Otakar Shpanel, Vaclav Levy, Josef Myslbek, Stanislav Suharda and known to the whole world. The list is supplemented outstanding musicians Zdenek Fibich, and in whose honor a prestigious musical is held annually.

Story

Before the appearance of a modern cemetery, there were burials of the capitular church here. Until the early 60s of the XIX century, the cemetery occupied only a small area in the immediate vicinity of.

After the fall of the absolutist regime in the country and the emergence of the revolutionary movement of 1848, the rapid development of national consciousness began. One of its manifestations was the desire to create a common burial place for those who were directly involved in the national revival, as was already customary in some other European countries.

This idea originated in the writing community Svyatobor, which was founded in 1862 by the Father of the Nation - the historian Franciszek Palacki. After considering several options for the location of the cemetery, the choice fell on Vysehrad, as a symbol of centuries-old Czech history.

You can wander around the Visegrad cemetery for hours, which is hardly enough to see all the tombstones, paintings and sculptures. This special place everlasting memory about those people who have devoted their lives and work to their native country.

Vysehrad is a historical district of Prague, located above the Vltava River. This river is famous among local townspeople for various historical events. Several centuries ago, a whole dynasty of Přemyslid kings lived in this territory.

Today Vysehrad is an ancient area where the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul proudly rises. Prague Castle, consisting of an ancient fortress and other architectural monuments, was once a very important place for the princes living here, and even King Vratislav II took part of these places under his possession.

Since that time, many historical events have taken place in Visegrad: the first coin was minted, a stone castle was built in Romanesque style, erected royal houses and holy buildings. Under the leadership of Charles IV, the palace of the kings was renovated, new fortresses were built. However, already in the 17th century, Vysehrad became a place protected from all sides by a solid brick wall, and the local cemetery was henceforth intended for the burials of important Czech people.

Since the 19th century, the cemetery has been the burial place for almost 600 major figures of the Czech National Revival. The tombstones were created by the best sculptors of that time. The territory of the cemetery is divided into 15 sectors.

In the eastern part of the cemetery is the tomb of Slavin (Slavín) - the common grave of men and women who glorified the Czech people with their deeds. Slavin arose in 1889-1893 according to the project of the architect Antonin Viel.

List of those buried

Composers, musicians:
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) - Czech composer, founder of the national school of composition.
Antonin Dvořák (1841–1904) was an outstanding Czech composer.
Zdeněk Fibich (1850-1900) was a Czech composer of the Romantic movement.
Otakar Ostrchil (1879–1935) was a Czech composer and conductor.
Wilem Kurtz, Jr. (1872–1945), pianist and teacher.
Karel Ancherl (1908-1973), conductor.
Rafael Kubelik (1914-1996), conductor and composer.

Artists, sculptors:
Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) - painter, theater artist, illustrator, representative of the Art Nouveau style.
Mikolash Alesh (1852-1913), painter and illustrator.
Max Shvabinsky (1873-1962) - artist.
Josef Myslbek (1848-1922), sculptor.
Ladislav Shaloun (1870-1946), sculptor.

Writers, poets:
Karel Capek (1890-1938) was an outstanding Czech writer and playwright.
Karel Hynek Macha (1810-1836) - Czech romantic poet, founder of national poetry.
Jaroslav Vrchlicki (1853–1912) was a Czech poet, playwright and translator.
Svatopluk Czech (1846-1908) - Czech writer and poet.
Frantisek Grubin (1910-1971) - Czech poet, prose writer, translator.
Bozena Nemcova (1820-1862) - Czech writer, founder of national prose.
Jan Neruda (1834-1891) Czech prose writer.
Vitezslav Nezval (1900-1958) was a Czech surrealist poet.
Vaclav Beneš Trebizki (1849–1884) was a Czech writer.

Others:
Milada Gorakova (1901-1950) - a victim of communist repression.
Yaroslav Geyrovsky (1890-1967), chemist, Nobel Prize winner.
Josef Bican (1913-2001), footballer
Vlasta Burian (1891-1962) - actor.
Zdeněk Kopal (1914-1993), astronomer.

Since that time, many historical events have taken place in Visegrad: the first coin was minted, a Romanesque stone castle was built, royal houses and holy buildings were erected. Under the leadership of Charles IV, the palace of the kings was renovated, new fortresses were built. However, already in the 17th century, Vysehrad became a place protected from all sides by a solid brick wall, and the local cemetery was henceforth intended for the burials of important Czech people.

Since the 19th century, the cemetery has been the burial place for almost 600 major figures of the Czech National Revival. The tombstones were created by the best sculptors of that time. The territory of the cemetery is divided into 15 sectors.

In the eastern part of the cemetery there is the tomb of Slavin (Slavín) - the common grave of men and women who glorified the Czech people with their deeds. Slavin arose in 1889-1893 according to the project of the architect Antonin Viel.

List of those buried

Composers, musicians:
Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) - Czech composer, founder of the national school of composers.
Antonin Dvořák (1841-1904) is an outstanding Czech composer.
Zdenek Fibich (1850-1900) - Czech composer, representative of the romantic direction.
Otakar Ostrchil (1879-1935) - Czech composer and conductor.
Wilem Kurz Jr. (1872-1945) - pianist and teacher.
Karel Ancherl (1908-1973) - conductor.
Rafael Kubelik (1914-1996) - conductor and composer.

Artists, sculptors:
Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939) - painter, theater artist, illustrator, representative of the Art Nouveau style.
Mikolash Alesh (1852-1913) - painter and illustrator.
Max Shvabinsky (1873-1962) - artist.
Josef Myslbek (1848-1922) - sculptor.
Ladislav Shaloun (1870-1946) - sculptor.

Writers, poets:
Karel Capek (1890-1938) - an outstanding Czech writer and playwright.
Karel Hynek Macha (1810-1836) - Czech romantic poet, founder of national poetry.
Jaroslav Vrchlicki (1853-1912) - Czech poet, playwright and translator.
Svatopluk Czech (1846-1908) - Czech writer and poet.
Frantisek Grubin (1910-1971) - Czech poet, prose writer, translator.
Bozhena Nemcova (1820-1862) - Czech writer, founder of national prose.
Jan Neruda (1834-1891) - Czech prose writer.
Vitezslav Nezval (1900-1958) Czech surrealist poet.
Vaclav Beneš Trebizki (1849-1884) - Czech writer.

Others:
Milada Gorakova (1901-1950) - a victim of communist repressions.
Yaroslav Geyrovsky (1890-1967) - chemist, Nobel Prize winner.
Josef Bican (1913-2001) - football player.
Vlasta Burian (1891-1962) - actor.
Zdeněk Kopal (1914-1993) - astronomer.

See all photos below

Vysehrad Fortress (Vyšehrad) and its attractions are located on a hill almost in the center of Prague on the banks of the Vltava. dates back more than a thousand years, and there are as many legends about any other historical district of Prague, or even the entire Czech Republic, as about Vysehrad. Vysehrad, shrouded in a haze of ancient historical events, evokes a sense of mystery that is felt here at every step.

In the gardens of Vysehrad there is a statue that must be mentioned - this equestrian statue Saint Wenceslas. It was this statue that was the first statue of this saint that stood at the Horse Market - modern. It was moved to Vyšehrad when Josef Vaclav Myslbek created his world-famous monument to St. Wenceslas, which today adorns one of the main squares in Prague.

And in the Visegrad Gardens, perhaps the most controversial sight of Vysehrad is located - the Devil's Pillar, which is three parts of a stone column tilted towards each other, covered with many legends. Read more about the gardens of Vysehrad and the Devil's Pillar.

Walking through the Visegrad Gardens, be sure to look at Visegrad (No. 6 on), from which you can admire stunning views of Prague, the Vltava and bridges.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The beautiful neo-Gothic Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul (Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla) is the main attraction of Vysehrad (#7 on). Its blackened towers are the absolute dominant of the entire Visegrad hill. The temple is especially beautiful at night, illuminated by many lights.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Visegrad has a very long and complicated history, it was built and rebuilt over a thousand years, changing its style from ancient Romanesque to artsy Baroque, and remained in a depressing state for decades. The most serious changes took place with the main temple of Vysehrad in the middle of the 14th and the first half of the 18th centuries, and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul received its modern neo-Gothic appearance only at the very end of the 19th century after a major restructuring under the leadership of Josef Motzker and the construction of two neo-Gothic towers on the western facade of the temple .

The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Vysehrad impresses with its magnificent interior decoration. You will see here many images of the patron saints of the Czech Republic and the tomb of Czech kings, representatives of the Přemyslid dynasty are buried here. Also of interest is the sarcophagus of St. Longinus, a Roman centurion, a witness to the crucifixion of Christ, who later adopted the Christian faith. You can read more about the Church of Saints Peter and Paul here.

Visegrad Cemetery

Vyšehrad Cemetery (Vyšehradský hřbitov) is one of the most important sights of Vyšehrad. This is the oldest and most famous Prague cemetery, and the resting place of world-famous Czech artists, composers, writers, sculptors, scientists and politicians.

Modern Vysehrad is a place in Prague where tourists and citizens can escape from the noisy streets of the Czech capital, find a quiet place to enjoy the silence and feel the centuries-old mystery of Vysehrad that can be heard in symphonic poem"Vysehrad", written by the famous Czech composer Bedrich Smetana, and in the works of Czech poets Julius Zeyer and Karel Jaromir Erben, for whom Vysehrad has always been a source of inspiration.

Women's Portal Flero