ABOUT THE CACHE
This geocache is located in a small peaceful spot among countless graves. To get there, follow the main road up into the cemetary hills, and the cache is located just off the main drive just a 40 meters Southeast of the ancient Bukharan Jewish section. Look for the metal reinforced steps (see spoiler picture for help). Happy caching and be sure to bring a pen.
ABOUT THE LOCATION
Located just behind the St Nicholas Church, the Russian Cemetary is perched atop the rolling hills of Dushanbe. Although known as the Russian cemetary, it is not exclusinvly a Russian Orthodox community and seems to have been the primary resting place for the international community for many years. Here you can find countless Russian, German and Jewish graves all nestled together. Although the cemetery had been neglected for many years there has been an effort to restore and clean it - especially in the Jewish segment. The visible neglect is due to the simple fact that there is no central caretaking authority and families must care for their own gravesites. And considering that most Russians have emigrated away over the past decades, the cemetery has become overgrown and quite neglected.
HISTORY
The St Nicolas church community was given a garage belonging to Tajikfilm in 1943, and this structure was later transformed into the church. Over the years the church fell into disrepair, particularly after the civil war in the 1990's when most of the Russian community fled Tajikistan. On December 31, 2000 a bomb explosion occurred and destroyed two buildings in the church complex. The windows in the Sunday school and baptistry of the church were also damaged. The church was visited by the Russian President in 2003, and this acted as a catalyst for it's renewal. Between 2005-2011, extensive restoration of the church was done, resulting in the modern structure that you can see today.