Nikolai Tomenko recalled how Soviet authorities destroyed the "kingdom of white marble": "Dedicated to those mourning the Soviet past."

“At the Aksoldova Grave

Ukrainian color…”

Today, Ukraine commemorates the Day of Remembrance for the Heroes of Kruty.

Among the historical and memorial sites associated with this significant date is Aksoldova Grave, as mentioned in the famous poem by Pavlo Tychyna, “In Memory of the Thirty.”

Why were Ukrainian patriots buried here?

Historians assert that in 1786, a cemetery was established on the Dnieper slopes of Aksoldova Grave to honor notable Kyiv residents.

Here, many prominent public and cultural figures found their eternal rest, including philanthropists Vasily Tarnovsky Sr. and Vasily Tarnovsky Jr., writer Andriy Podolynsky and his son, scholar and public figure Serhiy Podolynsky, doctor Franz Mering, actress’s husband Mykola Solovtsov and Maria Hlebova, entrepreneur and patron Symyrenko, chairman of the Kyiv Stock Exchange, patron Mykola Khryakov, renowned architect Georgiy Shleyfer, and military pilot Pyotr Nesterov, the author of the “dead loop”...

Gradually, Aksoldova Grave transformed into one of the most beautiful places in Kyiv, which locals referred to as the “kingdom of white marble,” offering a view of the Dnieper. The necropolis consisted not only of monuments but also of family vaults of the highest artistic quality. For example, the family mausoleum of Vasily Tarnovsky Jr. was surrounded by an iron fence adorned with images of lyres, and the door featured a heraldic shield. Near four white marble slabs, above which was the family crypt, stood a cross with a plant ornament made from white marble as well.

In total, about 2,000 renowned and distinguished individuals were buried at Aksoldova Cemetery.

It was here that the Central Rada of the Ukrainian People's Republic decided to bury the Heroes of Kruty on March 10, 1918.

“Yesterday, the funerals of students and gymnasium students took place, who gallantly laid down their youthful heads to defend Ukraine from the invasion of northern barbarians.

…At the residence of the Central Council, the procession was met by the government: Council members led by Prof. Hrushevsky and ministers led by V. Holubovych… The march then proceeded along the streets of Fundukleyevskaya, Khreshchatyk, and Alexandrovskaya to Aksoldova Grave.”

On May 31, 1919, the Soviet authorities decided to close the cemetery. But the most dreadful event occurred in 1934 when the leaders of Bolshevik Ukraine decided to transform the famous necropolis into the city park “Aksoldova Grave.” As a result, numerous crypts and gravestones were brutally destroyed and disposed of, with some statues given to students of the Art Institute as models. Only a few burials remained, which were relocated to other cemeteries: Vasily Tarnovsky to Zvirenetske, Pyotr Nesterov to Lukyanivske, the spouses of actors Mykola Solovtsov and Maria Hlebova to Baykove Cemetery...

The nearby Mykola Church was converted into a restaurant in 1936 and then remodeled into a park pavilion in 1938.

The last time Aksoldova Grave served as a cemetery was during the Nazi occupation of Kyiv. A cemetery for German officers and soldiers was organized here, where they were buried in rows beneath identical wooden crosses. These burials were destroyed after the liberation of Kyiv. Instead, a small alley of graves was established for the soldiers of the Soviet army who distinguished themselves during the defense and liberation of the city, later relocated to the Park of Eternal Glory.

Today, Aksoldova Grave is becoming a significant historical and memorial site in the Ukrainian capital. In addition to the Memorial to the Heroes of Kruty, a commemorative sign was erected for the 200th anniversary of Taras Shevchenko, who once depicted Aksoldova Grave, and a monument to Prince Askold was placed in St. Nicholas Church.

(Works by renowned sculptors Oles Sidoruk and Borys Krylov).

We remember our history!

We honor our heroes!

We do not forget our enemies!