The cemetery started in 1845 when the Smolny Convent was moved to this location. The first burials date to 1849. In the 1920s and 1930s, the cemetery church was demolished by the Soviet authorities (1929) and many tombs were destroyed, while other burials were transferred to the Tikhvin Cemetery. In 1989, major restoration work was carried out at the cemetery.
Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" (1855–1856, architect E. I. Zhiber) – the temple is dedicated to the memory of the commander of the Alexandria Hussars, Colonel A. N. Karamzin, son of the famous historian Nikolai Karamzin.[1]
Church of Elijah the Prophet (1883–1888, architect L. N. Benois;) – the tomb of the merchant I. F. Gromov, a five-domed church, lined with glazed brick on the outside.[2]