To the Chernivtsi necropolis in search of monumental art

In addition to the historic center with its rich architectural heritage, Chernivtsi's tourist attractions include the cemetery on Zelena Street. The first burial here was recorded in the early nineteenth century, although the cemetery was officially opened in 1866.

The Historical and Cultural Reserve "Cemetery on Zelena Street" is one of the ten most mystical cemeteries in Ukraine. The necropolis consists of Christian and Jewish cemeteries, which together form one large monument of the city's history.

Among the burials of the necropolis there are many interesting architectural structures that preserve the echoes of different historical eras. Therefore, walks along the alleys of these cemeteries in Chernivtsi can be very exciting and informative.

At the entrance to the Jewish cemetery is the House of Remembrance (Beit Kadyshim), a ceremonial building built in the early twentieth century by architect Frunkel and of historical value.

By the way, the Jewish cemetery (kirkut) on Zelena Street is one of the largest surviving old Jewish cemeteries in Central and Eastern Europe. Its area exceeds 14 hectares, and about 50,000 people are buried here.

In the depths of the Jewish cemetery, you can see the mass grave of civilian Jews shot during the Holocaust.

The attention of curious people is drawn to the grave of the world-famous Jewish poet Eliezer Steinbarg, the first Jewish mayor of Chernivtsi, Eduard Reiss, the leader of the Jewish community, Benno Straucher, and other famous Jews. Public and political figures, writers, poets, and intellectuals are buried here. People who became related to Chernivtsi and cared about the economic and cultural development of the city.

Every year, many tourists from all over the world are attracted to this necropolis by the variety of styles and forms of burial structures with various Jewish ornaments and symbols.

No less interesting for visitors is the Christian cemetery, which is the part of the reserve. Its area is more than 20 hectares. This cemetery is the resting place of such famous personalities as Olha Kobylianska and Yurii Fedkovych.

Many of the monuments and family tombs of the necropolis are monuments of monumental art. The chapel of the Bukovynian metropolitans is of historical value. The tomb of the Kokhanovsky family, where Anton Kokhanovsky, the longtime mayor of Chernivtsi and an honorary citizen of the city, is buried, may also be of interest to visitors.

Visitors should pay attention to the tomb of doctor Zalozetskyi, the tombstone on the grave of Lazar Mykhailovych (the patron of the arts who allocated funds for the Pieta monument on the Central Square), and the tomb of the Knysh family of Chernivtsi (which consists of several beautiful figures).

One of the most famous families that built tombs in Chernivtsi was the Moskaliuk family, which had several stonemasonry workshops in the city. Today, the works of their company, Father and Sons, can be seen in both Christian and Jewish cemeteries. The Moskaliuk family was engaged in the production of tombstones for family cemeteries, as well as their stylization. The family of these architects is also buried in this cemetery.

In total, about 2,000 family cemeteries have been built in Chernivtsi cemeteries. All of them are underground, but there are also those where the cover slab rises from the top or side, and there are also crypts with an entrance located at a depth.

Among the most famous figures of culture, science, and medicine buried in the Christian and Jewish cemeteries in Chernivtsi are almost all of the city's leaders from Austrian times, university rectors, writers, poets, actors, and musicians known not only in Bukovyna but also abroad.

 The necropolis literally "breathes" secrets and preserves the pages of the history of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna.