In every city, there are places shrouded in numerous beliefs. In Moscow, such a place has become the Erlanger mausoleum-chapel, which is visited daily by hundreds of people. But who are the Erlangers and why is their crypt covered with requests? Let's delve into this question.

The Erlangers were of German descent, settled in Russia. They amassed significant wealth, and Anton Maximovich Erlanger became known as the 'flour king' of Russia. He owned the largest company managing about 800 mills across the country, and among his clients were members of the Romanov family.

In 1910, Anton Maximovich died and was buried at Vvedenskoye Cemetery, where his father, conductor Maxim Maximovich Erlanger, was already resting. The following year, it was decided to build a family crypt and reinter relatives there. The Erlangers spared no expense, and the crypt project was designed by Fyodor Osipovich Shekhtel.

The mausoleum-chapel was built in a neoclassical style with elements of ancient Russian terema, and its interiors are adorned with mosaics depicting the biblical parable of the sower. However, construction was only completed in 1914, and due to World War I, the remains of the Erlangers were never transferred. Only Alexander Maximovich Erlanger, who committed suicide in October 1914, was buried in the crypt. In the 1990s, the crypt was restored to the status of a chapel and was assigned to the Church of Peter and Paul.

Interestingly, even during Soviet times, students began leaving notes at the crypt asking for help with their exams. According to rumors, one student who left a note successfully passed his exams, and since then, many have come here. Later, people began to ask for jobs or good suitors. Whether this helps or not is unknown, but the walls of the crypt are covered with requests. As it appears, this is merely a folk belief, not associated with any saints.