The Russian-Orthodox Cemetery

Christian-Spielmann-Weg

In 1856, one year after the dedication of the Russian Church, the Grand Duchess Jelena, the mother of the deceased Duchess Elisabeth, had the idea of building a cemetery where observant Russian-Orthodox Christians could be buried. Philipp Hoffmann, the builder of the chapel, was engaged to draft a design for the cemetery which would harmonise with the Chapel built to house Duchess's tomb.

Hoffmann gave the cemetery the shape of a cross with rounded edges, included a brick wall border, and had the entrance gate decorated with a gold-plated Russian Orthodox cross. The cemetery was dedicated in August of the same year. In 1864, ownership of the cemetery was transferred from the family of the Duke of Nassau to the Russian Orthodox Church.