Kosakenfriedhof in der Peggetz, Eastern Orthodox cemetery in Peggetz district, Lienz, Austria.
The Kosakenfriedhof in der Peggetz is a burial ground for Cossacks in Lienz with around 28 graves holding approximately 300 people, marked by marble crosses. A wooden chapel and a central memorial obelisk topped with an Orthodox cross stand within the grounds.
The cemetery was established in 1945 by British forces following World War II to bury Cossack refugees who died fleeing conflict. These people were traveling from Yugoslavia through Italy to Austria when they died.
The wooden chapel houses glass-encased icons and the graves display Orthodox crosses, reflecting the religious traditions of the people buried here. These visible elements shape how the cemetery feels when you walk through it today.
The cemetery is accessible to visitors, with the wooden chapel typically open on Sundays through arrangements with the local caretaker. Plan your visit for these times to see the chapel and its interior elements.
The memorial obelisk bears a crown of thorns on its western face, an unusual symbol rarely seen on cemetery monuments. This distinctive detail gives the memorial a deeper meaning for those who visit.
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