Barclay de Tolly Mausoleum

The Barclay de Tolly Mausoleum honors one of the most famous Russian commanders who battled Napoleon in 1812 and 1813, culminating in a march into Paris in March 1814. His ancestors were of Scottish descent, although they had lived in what is now Latvia and Lithuania since the 17th century. He was the first governor-general of Finland after the Russian annexation in 1809, serving until 1812.

Jõgeveste was the estate of his wife's family, and following his death in East Prussia in 1818, his remains were sent there. On the orders of de Tolly's wife Eleanor von Smitten, the tomb was finished in 1823. Although the two graves were opened during World War II, she commissioned Apollon Shchedrin, a prominent St Petersburg architect, to create them, and the edifice has remained unbroken since then. The external design is reminiscent of a Roman triumphal arch, while the inside is reminiscent of a church with an altar recess where de Tolly's bust is displayed. On the right, there is a statue of Athena, the Greek goddess of war, and on the left, there is a statue of a seated lady, who depicts grief. The tombs of de Tolly's son and daughter-in-law may be found outside, as well as a Soviet memorial to troops slain in the 1944 invasion of Estonia.

The mausoleum is located on Route 183, a few kilometers north of Route 69, in southern Estonia. If you don't have your own transportation, buses from Teva stop directly outside the tomb. The mausoleum is open all year, however, hours change depending on the season. Pre-registration is required. The location is serene and tranquil. There aren't many people that come here, and it's a good area to come and ponder.

Location: Valga County, Estonia