The cenotaph of Marina Tsvetaeva

The cenotaph of Marina Tsvetaeva is a granite memorial on the steep bank of the Oka River, carved with the inscription 'Here Marina Tsvetaeva would have liked to rest'. The monument sits directly by the water, surrounded by the natural landscape of the riverbank.

A first memorial was installed in 1962 by student Semyon Ostrovsky but was later removed at the request of Tsvetaeva's daughter Ariadna Efron. The current stone was placed at the same location in 1988.

The stone sits in a location that held personal meaning for the poet, as the riverside route to the town center was part of her childhood in Tarusa. The waterside position connects Tsvetaeva's memories of this place with her later longing for rest.

The best way to reach the memorial is to follow the path from the Church of the Resurrection downward toward the river. The terrain is steep in places, so wear sturdy shoes and allow extra time for the walk down.

A chapel once stood at this exact spot next to a cemetery of the Khlyst religious community, adding a deeper historical layer to the place. This hidden history goes unnoticed by many visitors who only see the modern stone.

Location: Tarusa

GPS coordinates: 54.72394,37.19036

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:07