Vilniaus kapinių plėtotė

Abstract

Stability is a characteristic feature of Lithuanian cemeteries [24]. It is expressed by burying one generation after another into the same family grave and by a monumental form of cemeteries. We classify cemeteries into acting and inacting. All of them are to have the status of listed cultural properties. The prognosis of the area size of Vilnius cemeteries is based on the number of citizens (0.6 min. ctz.) and on the area size normative used by German and Polish town planners (5 sq. m per 1 inhabitant) [1, 2, 3]. The data were compared with other towns not by closing and destroying them, but by their constant renovation. The growth of the area of cemeteries of a town is limited. The limit is proportional to the number of citizens. Cemeteries are pecular green spaces of a town, which are to be distributed proportionally all over the town. The 300 m standard [4] - the distance of cemeteries from residential blocks - established from Soviet times [22] interferes with the planning of cemeteries in towns. The analogous standard in Germany is 35 m [1]. The type of landscape and its specific features should be taken into consideration when selecting the site for new cemeteries. The best place for cemeteries is Lyglaukiai, which is between the Neris and the Vilnia river valleys, on hilly morainic ravinous uplands. Outwasch plains are suitable for cemetery sites too, as Kairėnai, Nemenčinė, Paneriai and Vokė cemeteries. Cremation of bodies is not popular in Lithuania. The building of crematories has a hygienic reason, but it will help little in saving cemetery land. The form of ground surface is the main factor influencing the character of space. The cemeteries of regular lay-out are monumental on the plains. The cemeteries on the slopes are picturesome, the form at them is based on ground relief character. Plain slopes fit the demands of buring. Dramatic slopes are usable for forest and meadow. The chapels and monuments are important for orientation. The parter in front of them makes the image of monument more strong.