8th Lock settlement (c)* Cemetery of Belbaltlag infirmary | Russia's Necropolis of Terror and the Gulag

8th Lock settlement (c)* Cemetery of Belbaltlag infirmary

Card

№10-08

Date of burial
1930s
Show Map
Address
Republic of Karelia, Medvezhegorsk district, 8th lock settlement
Access outside a populated area
Private or specialised transport
On foot
Visiting Hours or Restrictions
Unrestricted
Type of burial
Camp (prison) burial ground
Current use
Excursions
Ceremonial events
Presence of memorials, etc.
Yes
Protected status
Not protected
Фотография Сергея Лебедева
Фотография Сергея Лебедева
Background

The cemetery of the Belbaltlag infirmary is located on the east bank of the White Sea canal, 5 kms southeast of the 8th lock settlement. Prisoners who built the canal in 1931-1933 lie buried here. Their exact number is unknown.

The cemetery was discovered in August 2003 by researcher Yury Dmitriev from Petrozavodsk. From 5 June until 27 September 2004, he directed a group of volunteers who determined the boundaries of the cemetery and worked to tidy and clear it. More than 800 graves were discovered. Sixteen were opened and wooden Orthodox crosses were placed over them. Approximately 6 hectares of woodland were cleared, three bridges were laid across the stream, two clearings were prepared for the installation of monuments and confessional memorials, two commemorative plaques and iron crosses (Catholic and Orthodox) were prepared.

A path to the cemetery was cut and cleared. 220 metres of the approach road from the old Gabselgsky postal road were cleared of bushes and stones.

Books of Remembrance

Information, where it exists, about the identity and fate of Belbaltlag’s inmates is to be found in Books of Remembrance for the regions from which they came. A quick way to find any recorded links is to consult Memorial’s “Victims of Political Terror” database  with its 3 million entries, or that of the Open List”. Both may be accessed and searched online.

Ceremonies
DateNature of ceremoniesOrganiser or responsible personParticipantsFrequency
nk
Commemorative masses, Excursions
nk
nk
From time to time
Nature of area requiring preservation
State of burialsAreaBoundaries
Subsidence over burials. More than 800 graves discovered
Approximately 9.8 hectares
delineated
Administrative responsibility and ownership, informal responsibility for the site
On land under the control of the Medvezhegorsk district administration.
Sources and bibliography

[ original texts and hyperlinks ]

A. Ukkone, “Each one cries, ‘Remember me also!’” Izvestiya, 18 September 2003

“Defining the boundary of the infirmary burials in the woods near the 8th lock of the White Sea Canal, preparing approach roads and tidying the graveyard”, Their Names Restored website

 

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