Piskaryovskoe Cemetery

It’s hard work getting to this rather remote cemetery, but as the main burial place for the victims of the Nazi blockade in WWII, it is a poignant memorial to the tragedy. Originally, this area was just an enormous pit where unnamed and unmarked bodies were dumped. Some half a million people were laid to rest here between 1941 and 1943. In 1960 the remodelled cemetery was opened and has been an integral part of the city’s soul ever since. Every year on Victory Day (9 May) the cemetery is packed out with mourners, many of whom survived the blockade or lost close relatives to starvation. From Lesnaya metro station turn right and walk down the street about 100m and take bus 123, K-385 or K-33. These go to the Piskaryovka train station, from where it’s a further 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the cemetery itself. It may be easier to take a cab from Lesnaya station (reckon on about R150 each way).