Rasos Cemetery (Lithuanian: Rasų kapinės, Polish: cmentarz Na Rossie w Wilnie, Belarusian: Могілкі Росы) is the oldest and most famous cemetery in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania. It is named after the Rasos district where it is located. It is separated into two parts, the old and the new cemeteries, by a narrow Sukilėliai Street. The total area is 10.8 ha. Since 1990 new burials are allowed only to family graves.
The year 1769 is cited in many sources as the date when the cemetery was founded. However, some historians believe it is a typo and the real date should be 1796. On April 24, 1801 the new cemetery was consecrated. Two days later Jan Müller, the mayor of Vilnius, became the first person to be buried there. A formal document was signed in July 1801. It specified that the cemetery received 3.51 ha of land and that the cemetery will be free of charge to all city residents. It was the first cemetery in Vilnius not located next to a church.
In 1802-1807 two columbariums were built. They reached up to five stories in height and were joined at a right angle. At the end of the 19th century the columbariums began deteriorating. In between the columbariums, a neo-gothic red brick chapel was built in 1844–50. In 1888 a matching belltower was added to the chapel. At first the cemetery was surrounded by a wooden fence, but it burned down in 1812. A brick fence was rebuilt in 1820 and portions of it survive to this day.
In 1814 the cemetery was expanded as authorities bought additional land from a city resident. The addition is now known as the Hill of the Literaries (Lithuanian: Literatų kalnelis). In 1847, members of the Eastern Orthodox church opened their own cemetery next to Rasos. It was used to bury soldiers from a nearby monastery hospital and poor city residents. Therefore, it became known as the Cemetery of Orphans (Lithuanian: Našlaičių kapinės).
After World War II, the Soviet authorities demolished the right columbarium and in the 1970s razed the left columbarium. The whole necropolis was to be destroyed in the 1980s as the Soviet authorities planned a major motorway to be built directly through the cemetery. Due to a press campaign led by the Polish-language Czerwony Sztandar (Red Banner) newspaper and economic difficulties, the destruction was halted. After Lithuanian independence (1990) and the collapse of the Soviet Union (1991), Lithuanian and Polish authorities collaborated in an restoration of the cemetery.
In 1920 a war cemetery was built near the entrance for 164 Polish soldiers who fell in the city during the Polish–Soviet War and Polish–Lithuanian War. It was rebuilt in 1935–1936 by Wojciech Jastrzębowski, who also designed the tombstone where the heart of Józef Piłsudski is enshrined.
Until September 18, 1939, when the Red Army entered the city, an honorary guard of three soldiers stood there at all times. Three unknown soldiers who refused to give up their arms to the Soviets in 1939 were shot on the spot and are now buried next to Marshal Piłsudski's heart. Part of the cemetery contains graves of Polish Home Army soldiers, who fell during the Wilno Uprising. Their graves, demolished after World War II, were rebuilt by the funds of the Republic of Poland in 1993.
There are many famous Lithuanians, Poles, and Belarusians buried there, including over fifty Vilnius University professors. Those interred there include:
Vladas Abramavičius (1909–1965), Lithuanian cultural historian, poet, journalist, translatorAdam Ferdynand Adamowicz (1802–1881), one of the pioneers of Polish veterinary, president of the Medical Society of VilnaFrancišak Alachnovič (1883–1944), Belarusian writer, journalistJonas Ambrozaitis (1856–1916), Lithuanian cultural figure, organizer of secret plays of then banned Lithuanian theater, Lithuanian book smuggler and distributorJuozapas Ambraziejus–Ambrozevičius (1855–1915), Lithuanian composer, poet, establisher of Lithuanian orchestra in Šnipiškės Saint Raphael church in 1897, member of the secret Lithuanian patriotic organization of Vilnius "Dvylika Vilniaus apaštalų" ("Twelve Apostles of Vilnius") (1895–1904)Andrius Ašmantas (1906–1941), Lithuanian linguist, scholar, Lithuanian cultural activist of Lithuania MinorBolesław Bałzukiewicz (1867–1915), Polish sculptor, professor at the Stefan Batory UniversityJonas Basanavičius (1851–1927), Lithuanian physician, scientist, patriot, activist, editor of Lithuanian newspaper Aušra, signer of the Act of Independence of LithuaniaAugust Bécu (1771–1824), physician, stepfather Juliusz SłowackiCenotaph to Kazys Bizauskas, (1893-1941) Lithuanian statesman, diplomat, author, one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of LithuaniaKazys Boruta (1905–1965), Lithuanian writer and poetJanina Burchardówna (1883–1924), Polish journalist, teacherMikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875–1911), Lithuanian painter, photographer and composerPetras Cvirka (1909–1947), Lithuanian writerKristupas Čibiras (1888–1942), Lithuanian priest, cultural figure, political activist, active member of Lithuanian cultural and educational organization Lietuvių švietimo draugija "Rytas"Aleksander Dalewski (1827–1862), Polish political activist, founder of "Związek Bratni"Viktoras Dasys (1895–1944), Lithuanian cultural activistRimantas Daugintis (1944–1990), famous Lithuanian sculptor; committed suicide by self-immolation protesting Soviet regime in LithuaniaBorisas Dauguvietis (1885–1949), Lithuanian playwright, actorMečislovas Davainis–Silvestraitis (1849–1919), Lithuanian journalist, poet, specialist in Lithuanian folklore, book smuggler, Lithuanian cultural activistCenotaph to Pranas Dovydaitis (1886–1942), Lithuanian politician, teacher, encyclopedist, editor, professor, Signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, Prime Minister of LithuaniaWacław Dziewulski (1882–1938), Polish physician, professor at Vilnius UniversityAntonina Fiszer (1824–1840), Polish actressLiudas Gira (1884–1946), Lithuanian poet, writer, and literary criticAntoni Józef Gliński (1818–1865), Polish writerAntanas Gudaitis (1904–1989), Lithuanian painterLaurynas Gucevičius (1753–1798), Lithuanian architectWładysław Horodyjski, Polish philosopher, professor at the University of VilniusCzesław Jankowski (1857–1929), Polish poetLudwik Janowski (1878–1921), Polish cultural historian, professorRapolas Jakimavičius (1893–1961), Lithuanian painter and sculptorStasys Jasilionis (1892–1950), Lithuanian American poet, writer, cultural figureWacław Jasiński (1881–1936), Polish pediatrician, professor at the University of VilniusJonas Jašmantas (1849–1906), Lithuanian cultural figure, founder of Lithuanian charity organization "Petrapilio labdaringoji lietuvių ir žemaičių draugystė" in Saint Petersburg, member of the secret Lithuanian patriotic organization of Vilnius "Dvylika Vilniaus apaštalų"Adam Jocher (1791–1860), Polish librarian, founder of the first public library in VilniusAleksandras Jurašaitis (1859–1915), Lithuanian photographer, one of the first Lithuanian filmmakers, founder of his own photographic studio ("Jurašaičio ateljė") on Gediminas Avenue of Vilnius (1902-1922), Lithuanian cultural activistVincas Kisarauskas (1934–1988), Lithuanian painter, graphic artist, scenographer. One of initiators of ex-librīs movement, one of the first Lithuanian artists, who popularized Collage, Assemblage, Photomontage techniquesAntanas Kučas (1909–1989), Lithuanian graphic artist, book illustrator, professorGabrielius Landsbergis–Žemkalnis (1852–1916), Lithuanian playwright, publicist, book distributor, administrator of Vilniaus žiniosSigitas Benjaminas Lasavickas (1925–1998), Lithuanian architect and theorist, architectural restorer, who contributed greatly to conservation and restoration of Vilnius castles, Trakai castles, Medininkai CastleFranciszka Kleczkowska (1827–1889), Polish educational activistJoachim Lelewel (1786–1861), Polish historian, professor at Vilnius UniversityCenotaph to Anton Luckievich (1884–1942), Belarusian politician, historian, cultural figure, head of Belarusian museum in VilniusIvan Luckievich (1881–1919), Belarusian cultural figure, bibliophile, collectionner, historian, archaeologist, whose collection was a base for Belarusian museum in Vilnius (established in 1921)Józef Łukaszewicz (1863–1928), Polish professor at Vilnius University and revolutionistAldona Didžiulytė–Kazanavičienė (1892–1968), Lithuanian children's literature writerFelicjan Kochanowski (1831–1887), Polish priest, educational activistJuliusz Kłos (1881–1933), Polish architect, author of the guidebook to VilniusKazys Kriščiukaitis (1870–1949), famous Lithuanian wood sculptor, author of wooden altars, restorer, establisher of his own workshop in Vilnius (1890)Jonas Kruopas (1908–1975), Lithuanian linguist, scholarWacław Leon Makowski (1854–1929), Polish publisherMikołaj Malinowski (1799–1865), Polish-Lithuanian historian, archaeologistJonas Marcinkevičius (1900–1953), Lithuanian writer, journalistAlfonsas Mikulskis (1909–1983), Lithuanian composer, musical conductor, choirmaster of Lithuanian National Art Ensemble "Čiurlionis" in ClevelandOna Mikulskienė (1905–2008), cultural figure of Lithuanian Americans, conductor of kanklės ensemblesCenotaph to Vladas Mironas (1880–1953), Lithuanian priest, cultural figure, politician, member of the Council of Lithuania, Signatory of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, Prime Minister of Lithuania.Józef Montwiłł (1850–1911), Polish humanist and sponsor of hospitals, orphanages and museums, sponsor of separate suburbs of houses in Vilnius (so-called colonies, most notable Lukiškės/Montvila colony near Lukiškės Square)Povilas Pakarklis (1902–1955), Lithuanian historian, professor of Vilnius UniversityAugustinas Paškevičius (1844–1914), Lithuanian doctor, cultural figure, chairman (1909-1914) of Lithuanian "Rūta" cultural society of VilniusVincas Mykolaitis–Putinas (1893–1967), Lithuanian writerJan O'Connor (1760–1802), physician, professor at Vilnius UniversityJerzy Orda (1905–1972), Polish historian, social activistElena Žalinkevičaitė-Petrauskienė (1900–1986), famous Lithuanian actor, poet, playwrightKipras Petrauskas (1885–1968), famous Lithuanian tenor, founder of Lithuanian operaMikas Petrauskas (1873–1937), Lithuanian composer, musical conductor, cultural figure, author of the first Lithuanian opera "Birutė" (staged in the building of the then City Hall, that is currently Lithuanian National Philharmonic in 1906)The heart of Józef Piłsudski (1867–1935), Polish statesman. Also his mother, two brothers, and first wife are buried at Rasos cemeteryOnufry Pietraszkiewicz (1793–1863), Polish poetMaria Piłsudska (née Koplewska; 1865–1921), first wife of Józef PiłsudskiAdam Piłsudski (1869–1935), Polish politician, Vice-President of Vilna, brother of Józef PiłsudskiStasys Pinkus (1925–1992), Lithuanian art historianKarol Podczaszyński (1790–1860), Polish-Lithuanian architect, professor at Vilnius UniversityRafał Radziwiłłowicz (1860–1929) Polish psychiatrist, social activist, professor at the University of Stefan Batory, co-founder of the Society for Social Medicine, co-founder of the Polish Psychiatric Association (1920)Albinas Rimka (1886–1944), Lithuanian economist, publicist, journalist, politician, Finance minister (1926) of Interwar Lithuania, Kaunas and Vilnius university professorKsaveras Sakalauskas–Vanagėlis (1863–1938), Lithuanian book distributor, poet, writer, contributor to Lithuanian newspaper Aušra, organizer of Lithuanian choruses and secret Lithuanian theater plays, chairman of Lithuanian culture society of Warsaw (1923–1934), cultural figureLudwik Sokołowski (1882–1936), Polish engineer, architect, professor at the University of Stefan BatoryMarek Konrad Sokołowski (1818–1883), famous Polish, Ukrainian and Russian guitarist, composer, inventor of his own type of Harp guitar, generally known as "The king of guitarists", was awarded the diploma of "The first guitarist of Europe" in 1858 in Carltheater, Vienna, the first professional guitarist of LithuaniaEuzebiusz Słowacki (1772–1814), Polish theorist and literary historian, father of Juliusz SłowackiFranciszek Smuglewicz (1745–1807), Polish-Lithuanian painter, professor at Vilnius UniversityBalys Sruoga (1896–1947), Lithuanian writer and concentration camp survivorPovilas Snarskis (1889–1969), Lithuanian botanist, florist, professor of Vilnius University, author of books on Lithuanian floraJędrzej Śniadecki (1768–1838), Polish physician, chemist, biologist, writerWiktor Staniewicz (1866–1932), Polish mathematician, professor and rector of the Stefan Batory University in the years 1921-1922Albin Stepovič (1894–1934), Belarusian writer, composer, musicologist, cultural figureKanstancin Stepovič (Kazimir Svajak) (1890-1926), Belarusian priest, poet, musician, cultural activistKonstantinas Stašys (1843–1919), Lithuanian priest, cultural activistWładysław Syrokomla (1823–1862), Polish-Lithuanian writerWładysław Szachno (1838/40–1889), pianist, composerMarcelinas Šikšnys (1874–1970), Lithuanian mathematician, poet, writer, translator, playwright, participant in the banned press, author of the first legal Lithuanian theater performance "Pilėnų kunigaikštis" ("The Duke of Pilėnai") in the Town Hall of Vilnius (1906)Jurgis Šlapelis (1876–1941), Lithuanian linguist, translator, founder of the first Lithuanian bookstore in Vilnius, cultural and political figureMarija Šlapelienė (1880–1977), cultural figure, actor, active member of Lithuanian "Vilniaus aušra" society, cultural organization "Rūta", founder of the first bookstore ("Marijos ir Jurgio Šlapelių lietuvių knygynas"), dedicated to Lithuanian language and literature in Vilnius (1906-1949)Juozas Tallat–Kelpša (1889–1949), Lithuanian composerArūnas Tarabilda (1934–1969), Lithuanian graphic artistJuozas Tysliava (1902–1961), Lithuanian poet, translator, journalist, publisherValerija Vaivadaitė–Tysliavienė (1914–1984), Lithuanian American cultural figureCount Eustachy Tyszkiewicz (1814–1873), Polish-Lithuanian historian, archaeologistKazimieras Umbražiūnas (1909–1996), Lithuanian journalist, publicist, who wrote mostly about the region of VilniusRaimondas Vabalas (1937–2001), Lithuanian film directorJonas Vabalas–Gudaitis (1881–1955), Lithuanian psychologist, professor at Vytautas Magnus University and Vilnius University, initiator of experimental psychology in LithuaniaPetras Vaičiūnas (1890–1959), Lithuanian poet, translator, playwrightStasė Paulauskaitė-Vaineikienė (1884–1946), Lithuanian book smuggler and distributor, secret teacher (daractor), during Lithuanian press ban, writer, poet, cultural figureJonas Vengris (1877–1935), Lithuanian mountain engineer, Lithuanian cultural activist, sponsor of Lithuanian charity organizations, school and policlinic in VilniusAntanas Vileišis (1856–1919), Lithuanian physician, humanist and sponsor of cultural and charity organizations, Lithuanian schools, newspapers, Lithuanian political activistJonas Vileišis (1872–1942), Lithuanian politician, mayor of Kaunas, signer of the Act of Independence of LithuaniaPetras Vileišis (1851–1926), engineer, humanist and sponsor of cultural and charity organizations, Lithuanian schools, Vilniaus Žinios and other newspapers, Lithuanian art exhibitions in his Vileišis palaceAntanas Viskantas (1877–1940), Lithuanian priest, writer, cultural figure, founder of Lithuanian cultural organization "Švento Kazimiero draugija" and "Vilniaus lietuvių meno ir literatūros draugija" ("Lithuanian art and literature organization of Vilnius")Povilas Višinskis (1875–1906), book smuggler, writerJan Kazimierz Wilczyński (1806–1885), Polish-Lithuanian physician, collector and publisherAntoni Wiwulski (1877–1919), Polish-Lithuanian architect and sculptorStanisław Karol Władyczko (1878–1936), Polish neurologist and psychiatrist, professor at the Institute Psychoneurological in St. Petersburg and the Stefan Batory UniversityTadeusz Wróblewski, (1858–1925) Polish lawyer, bibliophileBronisław Wróblewski (1888–1941), Polish lawyerBronisław Żongołłowicz (1879–1944), Polish Catholic priest, professor at the University of Stefan Batory, member of the SejmZigmas Žemaitis (1884–1969), Lithuanian mathematician, board member (1909-1915) of Lithuanian Scientific Society, chairman of Higher Courses of Study (Aukštieji kursai) in Kaunas (University of Lithuania from 1922), aviation enthusiast, prominent cultural figureThere is also a mass grave of Poles kidnapped in 1919 from Vilnius by the Bolsheviks and shot at Daugavpils. In the middle of the cemetery, on the so-called Hill of Angels (Angelų kalnelis) there is also cenotaph of an angel, dedicated to unborn babies.
