Sunday, March 31, 2013

Visiting Lychakiv Cemetary

Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv dates back to 1787 and in the two hundred plus years since it has been built up, destroyed, and built up again.  Its most famous resident is the Ukrainian poet Ivan Franko who's grave is located near the many entrance of the cemetery and is always decorated with flowers.  


The cemetery went on as far as the eye could see in all directions.  I imagine that during the summer it's not quite as impressive when the trees block your view.


Another view of the grave markers.  As you can see it was a gloomy winter day when we visited and when we walked around the grounds we were often the only ones around.  


During Soviet times monuments like these were regularly destroyed in the cemetery.  In 1975 the cemetery was made a historical monument and so some of the statues have been restored around the grounds.


Walking around the grounds we came upon this little chapel.


In one of the most recently constructed area of the cemetery they recently had a funeral...now that is how you should decorate a grave!


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