Antakalnis cemetery, formerly known as Soldiers' cemetery - in 1809. located in the eastern part of Antakalnis, in a hilly pine forest, not far from small streets and residential houses. Their area is 15,60 ha.
XVII-XVIII centuries. it was a very secluded place, a forest that belonged to the most influential nobles of that time - the Sapiegos. Initially, there were different areas for the burial of lay people, soldiers, orphans and participants in the First World War. Later, a single cemetery was formed.
The Antakalnis cemetery, which is considered prestigious, is divided into quarters. The 25th quarter is called Menininkai knelil. Antakalnis Cemetery Menininkai Kalnelis is an exceptional burial place, since the XNUMXth century. sheltered many writers, artists, actors, musicians.
The beginning was in this part of the cemetery in 1964. the grave of the buried sculptor Juoz Mikėnas. Later, writer Augustinas Gricius, opera singer Elena Čiudakova, painter Stasys Krasauskas, writer Ieva Simonaitytė, poet Paulius Širvys, composer Eduardas Balsys were buried near it, in the lowlands and on the hill.
In recent years, a number of artists of this generation have been laid to rest on the Artists' Hill: poet Justinas Marcinkevičius, composer Gintautas Abarius, film director Arūnas Žebriūnas, actors Vytautas Šapranauskas, Antanas Šurna. The mound of the grave of Gintaras Ruplėnas, the creator of the humor show "Bicycle Show", who died in Jordan, also rose on the artist's hill. Actor Donatas Banionis is also buried there next to his wife Ona, who died earlier. And the list goes on.
The artists' hill is visited by various people every day: some come to visit or clean up the graves of their relatives, others - it's like an open-air museum. Fans bring flowers to the graves of their favorite actors or singers, others - to look at gravestones that stand out for their originality and unconventionality. In addition, after walking around Menininkai kalnelis, you can get to know more about the history of the country's art or literature.'
Information prepared by: VilniusGO.lt
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