Nõva Cemetery — a Historic Cemetery in Läänemaa
Nõva Cemetery is a historic cemetery in the village of Nõva, located in Lääne-Nigula Parish, Lääne County. The cemetery surrounds the historic Lutheran Nõva St. Olaf’s Church and is notable for its well-preserved old crosses, church grounds and graves of people connected with the history of Nõva.
Some descriptions use the term Nimetu kalmistu, which means “nameless cemetery” in Estonian. However, official catalogues list the site as Nõva Cemetery. The name Nõva Churchyard is also used to describe the churchyard and cemetery surrounding the church.
Where is Nõva Cemetery located?
The cemetery is located in the settlement of Nõva, in Lääne-Nigula Parish, Lääne County. It is situated in the centre of the village, directly around the Lutheran Church of St. Olaf.
The total area of the cemetery is approximately 2.03 hectares. The grounds are surrounded by different types of fencing: a limestone wall stands on the western side, a stone wall borders the other sides, and a wooden fence is located on the eastern side.
Access and Entrances
The cemetery can be accessed through the main entrance. The main gate is located on the western side and consists of plastered and whitewashed concrete pillars with wrought-iron gates.
The main entrance is easy to spot and convenient for first-time visitors. Additional smaller gates are also located on the northern and eastern sides of the grounds.
Nõva Lutheran Church
The main feature of Nõva Cemetery is the active Lutheran church of the Nõva St. Olaf’s parish. This small wooden church dates from the 18th century and is considered one of the most interesting and best-preserved wooden churches in mainland Estonia.
Condition and Features of the Grounds
The church and the churchyard surrounding it form a unified historic ensemble. For this reason, the cemetery is of interest not only as a burial place, but also as part of the cultural heritage of western Estonia.
The cemetery grounds are bright, well maintained and pleasantly peaceful. The older section contains many historic metal and wrought-iron crosses, some of which have unusual shapes.
A small chapel is located on the southern side of the church. Metal crosses that have been damaged over time or broken at their bases have been collected next to it.
The cemetery contains old stone gravestones, metal crosses and family burial plots. A walk through the older section reveals traditional forms of gravestones characteristic of Lääne County.
Notable People Buried at Nõva Cemetery
Josephine von Baggehufwudt
Josephine von Baggehufwudt was the owner of Nõva Manor. Her name is connected with the history of the local estate and surrounding area.
A local legend is associated with her grave: it is believed that Josephine made her own gravestone cross. Her grave is located at Nõva Cemetery, near the church.
Carl Preisberg
Carl Preisberg served as the sexton of Nõva Church from 1831 to 1867. In addition to his church duties, he played an important role in the development of local education.
In 1863, Carl Preisberg founded a school in Nõva. His grave is located in section 2, plot no. 90 of the cemetery.
Historical Monuments at the Cemetery
Near the church stands a memorial dedicated to the people of Nõva who died during the First World War, the Estonian War of Independence, and the periods from 1941 to 1945 and from 1941 to 1956.
The monument serves as a reminder of Estonia’s complex history and of the local people who died during different periods of war and political conflict.
Finding a Grave at Nõva Cemetery
Nõva Cemetery is listed in the Estonian cemetery portal, where visitors can search for burial locations and view a map of the grounds. However, information about older graves may be incomplete, and a name in the cemetery register may differ from the inscription on the headstone.
If you are unable to find a grave on your own, it is useful to prepare the deceased person’s first and last name, approximate year of death, old photographs, documents or information about relatives.
Grave Care at Nõva Cemetery
If your relatives live far away or you cannot regularly travel to Lääne County, Angelio specialists can help take care of the burial place.
Angelio provides caring grave maintenance and helps preserve the memory of your loved ones.
