Askold’s grave. History of Askold’s grave. Places of interest of Kiev.

Askold’s grave is located on the right bank of Dnieper, near to Lipki. The ancient legend says, that in 882 year Novgorod prince Oleg enticed Askold and Dir, who were reigning in Kiev, to this place and killed them for the reason of "an ignoble origin", as they were not Rurik. After that Oleg ascended Kiev throne and promised to make Kiev the mother of Russian cities. It is known, that Askold was called to the throne by Kievers, was baptized in Tsargrad (Constantinople) in 860th, other annals say that probably Dir and Askold took the power over Kiev by force. According to the legend, Askold was buried at the place, where he was killed, and since then this area was called Askold’s grave. Prince Oleg justified himself in descendant’s opinion. He united the separate princedoms into the East Slavic state with the capital in Kiev. He defeated Great Byzantian Tsargrad and placed his shield on its gate. This moment was described by A. S. Pushkin in "Song about Oleg".

Princess Olga, Oleg’s daughter, built St. Nikolas wooden church at the place of present Askold’s grave in 10th century (Nikolas is Askold’s Christian name). In year 971st Olga’s son Svyatoslav, known for severe prosecution of Christianity, destroyed the church. 19 years later, in year 990th , prince Vladimir built up the church again, and in 1036 female monastery was founded there. Askold’s grave is located in church’s basement, where his ancient stone sarcophagus was placed.

The place, now known as Askold’s grave, was also called Ygorskoe Urochishe , because of ancient Ugr’s (Hungarians) camp, that was here in year 898 . Under other version, Ygorskoe Urochishe comes from the old Slavic "Ugr" - an abrupt earthy coast. Anyway, in 1997 the memorable sign, in Hungarians honour, migrating from Povolgye (Volga region) to the territory of present Hungary, was placed in park.

In 1715 a monastery cemetery appeared around old Nikolas church and in 1786 it became city. At the end of first decade of 19 century, the wooden church was replaced for the stone church-rotunda. Project of the new church was developed by architect A. I. Melensky. Later, the cemetery territory was protected, and in 1899-1901 old belltower was also replaced by the new one, constructed by E. Ermakov. In 1845 the cemetery was closed for common usage, and only most known and well-founded inhabitants of Kiev were buried there, but already in 1871 the cemetery was opened again.

In 1919 the cemetery was finally closed, and since 1932 its ruin began. Metal details of gravestones and fencings were withdrew as a metal scrap. In December, 1934 Kiev council issued a decree about the recognition of necropolis Askold’s grave as a city park. There were about 2 thousand burial places at the cemetery at that time. In spite of the fact that the cemetery at Askold’s grave was smaller than Baykovoe cemetery, it was considered elite. Here there were a lot of gravestones and crypts, that were historical and art valuable. For example, Tomb of barons Shteyngel was constructed under the project of architect V. Gorodetskiy, founder of known House with Chimeras in Kiev. In view of changing of its status, part of Askold’s grave cemetery structures and fences were destroyed, some tombs were razed to ground, and some were transferred to other Kiev cemeteries. Part of tombs remained untouched. St. Nikolas church was transformed to a park pavilion. Under the project of architect P. G. Urchenko a colonnade was built over the church, but it was disassembled in 1998 during the restoration works.

Here were buried: pilot-expert Е. N. Kruten and P. N. Nesterov, who thought up and executed "the loop" (their tombs were transferred), professor of medicine Mering, and also many other outstanding figures.

During the fascist occupation, there was a German cemetery at Askolds’s grave, which was liquidated after clearing of Kiev by Soviet army in 1944. Then the soldiers fallen during Kiev clearing began to be buried here, and in 1957 the dust of lost was transferred to Park of Eternal Glory. In 1997-1998 the church was restored and got its historical view.

Legends and myths :

There is a legend that in 882 a boat of Prince Oleg, a successor of Novgorod prince Rurik, came to Dnieper coast. “The story of time years” tells us that variags Askold and Dir were Rurik combatants (under other version – the boyars), and had no lawful powers for Kiev board. Prince Oleg enticed them to Dnieper coast, killed with the help of his soldiers and took Kiev throne. Other annals specify, that Askold was the descendant of Kiev founder prince Kij. Some annals also say, that Dir was Askold predecessor and died long before Askold coming to Kiev.

Very romantic legend tells us about foundation of man monastery nearby Askold’s grave. In 1113 Grand duke Mstislav Vladimirovich, Vladimir Monomah's son, came back home after hunting. It was late, and he got off the way in dark wood (so Pechersk looked liked). Suddenly, prince saw a bright light in a thicket which flew from St. Nikolas image, seeing on a high stub near the road. In memory of this wonderful event, in 1115 Mstislav founded St. Nikolas church man monastery. According to the governor’s decree the female monastery was transformed into man.

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Askold’s grave

Legends and myths :

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