Although several sources state that Rasos Cemetery was founded in 1769, many historians believe that this date is an old typo and it should actually be 1796. This would make more sense, especially when considering that the first burial was conducted in 1801 after the major of Vilnius, John Müller, passed away. However, it is still up to debate! What do you think?
There are two portions, or parts, of Rasos Cemetery: the old cemetery and the new cemetery. These cemeteries are separated by a narrow road known as Sukilėliai Street.
Unfortunately, since 1990, new burials are only permitted to family plots in Rasos Cemetery. So if you were hoping to be buried alongside Jonas Basanavičius, tough luck!
There are two main additions to Rasos Cemetery. The cemetery expanded after a land purchase in 1814. This section is referred to as the "Hill of Literaries." Later, in 1847, the Orthodox clergy occupied a neighboring cemetery, which later conjoined with Rasos Cemetery. This plot became the final resting place for those buried who died in the military hospital. This section was later named "Cemetery of Orphans." There is also an "Angel" section which only has small markers for infant graves.
After World War II, the Soviet authorities demolished the right columbarium, and the riots of 1970 caused the left one to be destroyed. As for those interred, hundreds of old graves are still there mostly unmarked. The entire cemetery was set to be destroyed in the 1980s as the government had plans for a major highway to go through the graveyard. However, due to a press campaign led by the Polish-language Czerwony Sztandar newspaper and economic difficulties, the destruction was halted. After Lithuanian independence and the collapse of the Soviet Union Lithuanian and Polish authorities collaborated in a restoration of the cemetery.