Founded in 1810 by Bernardine monks, this historical gem covers a little under four hectares on a rolling hill running down to the Vilnia. Among the eminent university professors, scientists and artists buried here are a few surprises including the remains of Geleda Dzerzhinskaja (1849-1896), the mother of the founder of the forerunner of the KGB, Felix Dzerzhinsky. Keep an eye out for the graves complete with photographs of the deceased, one in particular of a young man already no longer breathing and taken what must have been just before he was laid to rest.
Bernardine Cemetery
Comments
Irene McKay
I visited Antakalnis Cemetery on 31st July 2009. I was pleased to see every one of the border guard graves had been adorned with flowers on the anniversary of their murder. I also thought the cemetry gave a very interesting insight into the variety of foreign powers that had occupied Lithuania - French graves, Polish Graves, Soviet graves. I would also recommend this sight due to the wonderful headstones found here - some were beautifully carved pieces of wood; others were interesting and unusual stone or marble headstones like the weeping woman headstone, the man with the mask headstone and the reclining woman headstone.