Katyn war cemetery
Facts and practical information
The Katyn War Cemetery in Russia stands as a solemn memorial to the tragic events of the Katyn massacre during World War II. This hallowed ground is the final resting place for many of the 22,000 Polish officers, intellectuals, and prisoners of war who were executed by the NKVD, the Soviet secret police, in April and May of 1940.
Located near Smolensk, the cemetery is a somber reminder of the atrocities of war. The Polish prisoners were captured by the Soviets after the invasion of Poland in 1939 and were subsequently murdered in the Katyn forest and other locations. For years, the Soviet government denied responsibility, attributing the massacre to Nazi forces, until finally admitting guilt in 1990.
The memorial complex was officially opened in 2000, signifying a step toward reconciliation between Poland and Russia. It features a series of symbolic graves and a large Orthodox cross, as well as a Catholic chapel, a museum, and a Wall of Remembrance. Each element of the site is carefully designed to pay homage to the victims and to educate visitors about the historical events that took place.
Smolensk