Tombs - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com A Travel Guide for Exploring the World Fri, 03 Feb 2023 19:12:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/thecreativeadventurer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/cropped-NewCreativeAdventurerLogo_250x250_v1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Tombs - The Creative Adventurer https://thecreativeadventurer.com 32 32 171399271 The Ultimate Guide to the Panteón de Dolores, Mexico City https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-panteon-de-dolores-mexico-city/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-ultimate-guide-to-the-panteon-de-dolores-mexico-city https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-panteon-de-dolores-mexico-city/#comments Sun, 16 Jan 2022 20:20:56 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com/?p=30301 One of the most interesting places in Mexico City is the Panteón de Dolores. Hidden away...

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]]> One of the most interesting places in Mexico City is the Panteón de Dolores. Hidden away in the western corner of the Bosque de Chapultepec lies the most beautiful cemetery. Home to some of the most incredible graves sculptures found anywhere in the world. Under these stones lie some of the most illustrious people who impacted the cultural growth of Mexico City. The Panteón de Dolores is genuinely one of those true hidden gems. Many locals don’t even know the incredible treasures found here!

The Panteón de Dolores is a place where everyone can come and learn about the history of Mexico and its people. And the beauty of the gravestones and tombs makes a visit more like a trip to an open-air sculpture park. Taking a trip out to the edge of the Bosque de Chapultepec is well worth it to discover the amazing pieces of history found here.

Table Of Contents
  1. History of the Cemetery
  2. A Note About Visiting Respectfully
  3. Location and Hours
  4. Dias de Los Muertos
  5. The Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres 
  6. The Rest of the Cemetery

History of the Cemetery

The history of the cemetery goes back to 1835 when William Benfield, a wealthy Englishman, moved to Mexico City. (Special thanks to Eduardo Cremer, great-great-great grandson of Benfield for helping get the history correct!) Benfield arrived with his wife Mary, who had fallen ill with tuberculosis. Their doctor in England recommended the move as the climate and altitude was thought to help people who suffered from tuberculosis. And they were right! Benfield’s wife was able to live an extra twenty years in Mexico. Shortly after arriving, Mary gave birth to their son and named him Juan Manuel.

William wanted to bring over the rest of his family, to join them in Mexico. The Benfield family arrived by boat and docked in Veracruz before making their way to Mexico City. At the time, Benfield saw that Anglicans couldn’t be buried in cemeteries in Veracruz. They were reserved for Catholics only.

Until this point, the Catholic Church controlled all cemeteries in Mexico. Juan Manuel Benfield took matters into his own hand. Benfield went to the Mexican government and asked to be granted permission to build a private cemetery.

His grant was approved and he became the first private company allowed to open a private cemetery. He used 590 acres he had set aside on his ranch to build it. Juan named the new cemetery “La Tabla de Delores” as it rested on a flat (table-like) part of the ranch. Ideal for building a cemetery. The cemetery was opened to people of all different backgrounds to be laid to rest. The demand for plots grew quickly. In 1879, the city bought the land and open the area as a public cemetery. 

Dolores Cemetery Today

Today, there are over 700,000 people buried here. It is now the largest in Latin America. But no new graves have been dug since 1975. The cemetery is full, with some grave plots being occupied by several family members, stacked one on top of the other. Different areas of the cemetery are dedicated to specific communities or groups. There are 23 different areas in total. They feature spots for the Italian and German communities, the Bakers Union, Retired Teachers union, Military College students, and fallen soldiers.

A Note About Visiting Respectfully

Something we must remember when visiting a cemetery is to be respectful. This is a place for reflection and for many, a place for grief. Even though no new graves are being dug and therefore you won’t typically spot a funeral processions, people grieve in their own time. If you see a grieving family, give them space and privacy. Never take photos of people mourning and generally avoid taking pictures of the staff as well. Something I always try to do is leave a small bouquet of flowers on a grave that speaks to me. A way of saying thank you for allowing me to visit. Also, if you see a small donation booth or drop box, leave a donation for whatever you feel your experience was worth.

Location and Hours

The Panteón de Dolores is located on the western corner of the Bosque de Chapultepec or Chapultapec Park. The main entrance is on Avenida Constituyentes. This entrance can be reached from the Metro Observatorio or easily by Uber. A large green gate welcomes you into the cemetery with “Panteon Civil” emblazoned on the iron archway.

I would always recommend staying within the inner area of the cemetery and not venturing out too far. This is the best way to keep safe. The outer edges of the cemetery are some of the roughest parts of the graveyard and are best avoided. The cemetery is generally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dias de Los Muertos

The best time to visit the cemetery is during Dias de Los Muertos. For Mexican people, death is not as final as it is for those who live in North America. Every year, families gather at the graves of their loved ones. They come together to remember their loved ones. Tho celebrate their lives and share in their memories. As if those we “lost” are still here, alive in the hearts of the living. 

Walking into the cemetery, huge trucks filled with vendors selling orange and yellow marigolds fill the entrance. These flowers are called cempasuchi or the “flowers of the dead”. These flowers have been used since the 16th century to commemorate the dead. The brightly coloured flowers were chosen as their vibrant colours are thought to help attract the souls of the dead. The colour is also thought to symbolize celebration. Instead of being mournful, Dias de Los Muertos is a day for merrymaking. For remembering the wonderful lessons the dead leave with us.

During festivals you will even see street vendors selling snacks inside the grounds. Tamales, tacos, sweet bread, and more can be found underneath bright yellow umbrellas on push carts. Just a note: you’ll often find that the Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres is closed during the holidays. So if you want to see those famous graves, be sure to avoid the holidays.

The Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres 

The Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Persons) is the most important area of the cemetery. It is located just inside the main gates. The circular Rotonda is surrounded by 115 tombs, gravestones and monuments. Each person buried here made important contributions to the military, civic and cultural fields. The site was originally called “The Rotunda of Illustrious Men“. But it was renamed later as more women were incorporated into the sacred space.

These monuments are the most intricately designed, each symbolizing the person’s life buried within. The tombs surround the Rotunda, with a staircase leading down to the center grassy area. Inside, a votive lamp is placed in the memory of those buried here.

Pedro Litechipia

When the Mexican government bought the land from Juan Manuel Benfield, the first person they buried in this spot was Pedro Litechipia. Pedro Litechipia died fighting against the empire of Maximilian, a hero of the Mexican Revolution.

Diego Rivera

Included among the illustrious dead is Diego Rivera. Interestingly enough, Rivera had requested that he not be buried at all. Instead, he wanted to be cremated and his ashed comingled with those of his beloved Frida Kahlo. Frida’s urn can be found inside her beloved Casa Azul. Sadly, his family, upon his death, overruled his decision and had this tomb designed to house his body. The vault was designed with a series of pre-Hispanic patterns and symbols swirling around the tombstone. Emerging from the stone are the bright white marble arms and death mask of Diego Rivera himself. As if the artist is merely asleep and is rising from the grave. Haunting and yet beautiful all at once.

The Flower Vendor (Girl with Lilies)

On either side of the tomb are bouquets of white calla lilies carved in marble. So they may bloom for eternity. Rivera’s famous The Flower Vendor (Girl with Lilies) is one of Rivera’s most famous artworks. Although the lily is also associated with funerals and death to Rivera, it symbolized indigenous culture. It also references Mexico’s abundant flora and even a hint at sensuality, as the flower resembles a certain part of the female anatomy. Flower sellers also represent the poor working-class. Who sell the beauty of the Mexican landscape to the wealthy upper class, which consumed it. For this reason, the focus on the flowers on his grave is even more important to his legacy.

Above the tomb, on a large stone marker, is a beautiful mosaic. It features the image of an older indigenous woman surrounded by lit candles. The scene appears to be dark as if she is here at night. She kneels on the ground, with a woven basket in front of her, planting seeds. A symbol of how Rivera planted seeds in the minds and eyes of the Mexican people. Inspiring them for ages to come. On the opposite side of the mosaic, there is a burst of Rivera set into the stone. Below it is a large inscription dedicated to the life and impact of the great artist.

Mexican Independence Fighters

Pedro Sainz de Baranda, was a Naval Officer, Industrialist and Liberal Politician who served in the Spanish Navy. Baranda was also instrumental in the Mexican War of Independence. He is credited with founding the Mexican Navy. Baranda’s tombstone is decorated with a giant golden anchor embedded into the stone. Used to commemorate his naval efforts. Another fighter for Mexican Independance was Juan Nepomuceno Mier y Altamirano. Altamirano was a lawyer, judge, politician, and even a poet. His memorial features the great Mexican golden eagle. The same eagle featured on the Mexican coat of arms.

Mexican Muralists

José Clemente Orozco, along with Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros was the founders of the Mexican Mural Renaissance. Orozco spent his life painting murals in locations all over Mexico City. His works were full of symbolism and featured the histories of the Mexican people. His simple gravestone is made of a giant wall of pure tezontle. Tezontle is a porous, highly oxidized, volcanic rock. The rock was used extensively in constructions across Mexico City, especially in old colonial buildings in the historic centre. The red colour of the stone comes from high levels of iron oxide. The stone was one of the favourites to be used as it was light enough to prevent buildings from sinking into the unstable lake bed.

David Alfaro Siqueiros, as mentioned previously, was another famous Mexican muralist and is also buried here. His gravestone is a colossal sculpture representing Prometheus bound. The myth of Prometheus bound tells of how Prometheus defied Zeus to protect mankind. He saved them from death by providing humans with fire. As a painter obsessed with social realism, the ideals of bringing help to those in need was a meaningful to Siqueiros. And we can understand why this story and its moral was something he wanted to leave behind.

Writers

One of the women featured in the Rotunda is Rosario Castellanos. Rosario was a Mexican poet, author and one of Mexico’s most significant literary voices. She took it upon herself to write about issues of cultural and gender oppression. She was one of the first big Mexican feminists. Despite her short life, she opened the door for many more Mexican feminists to continue her legacy. Her grave is sculptured with an image of the writer herself, holding a book and quill in her hands. Often visitors to her grave come and place a rose or flower in her hand. As a means of paying tribute to this trailblazer.

Emma Godoy Lobato was a Mexican writer, philosopher and psychologist who distinguished herself for promoting the dignity of old age. She was instrumental in developing a policy of social order for the elderly. This policy went on to benefit millions of seniors. An enormous open book marks her grave. Etched onto the pages is the quote;

Here I am heavenly father to thank you for having given me long life; which means that you keep a special love for me because you have offered me the opportunity to accumulate more and more merits so as not to arrive before your throne with empty hands but overflowing with heavenly denarii.

Emma Godoy Lobato 

Amado Nervo

One of my favourite graves is that of writer Amado Nervo. Nervo was a Mexican poet, journalist and educator. He also acted as Mexican Ambassador to Argentina and Uruguay. His poetry was known for its use of metaphor and mysticism. Presenting both ideals of love and religion. His grave features a bust of his face atop where his head lays under the bronze tomb. But to ensure his face is shaded from the sun and protected from the rain, a vast stained-glass canopy was built atop. Casting a heavenly blue light down atop his resting place.

Politicians

The Rotunda of Illustrious Persons was initially conceived by then-President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada. He decreed that “In this place of honour, the necessary land will be given free of charge to erect the monuments designed to guard the remains of or perpetuate the memory of the illustrious men who are decreed or for whom posthumous honours are decreed.” Fittingly, his grave is located along with those others he wished to commemorate.

Lerdo was overthrown by President Diaz during the Battle of Tecoac. He fled into exile in New York City after the battle. He died in New York several years later, but his former rival, President Díaz, had his body returned to Mexico City. It was thereafter buried with honours here in the Rotonda. His tomb is enormous, featuring a large plinth upon which his statue is placed. It is encircled by a group of women representing various virtues of his political career.

Scientists

Nabor Carrillo was a famous Mexican scientist who spent his life studying atomic energy. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1941. Nabor was named technical advisor of the Mexican delegation in the Commission on Atomic Energy of the United Nations. He was the Executive Advisor of the National Commission of Nuclear Energy. Nabor helped future scientists discover scientific problems of the subsoil movements in the Valley of Mexico. He is buried here, beside his father, also a famous scientist. Nabor’s grave features a large stone symbol of the atom that sits atop his resting place.

Manuel Sandoval Vallarta was a Mexican physicist who spent his life doing Cosmic ray research. He became a Physics professor at both MIT and the Institute of Physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His gravestone features bronze strands representing cosmic rays flowing in and out of the stone.

Ignacio González Guzmán was a Mexican physician, biologist, researcher and academic specializing in hematology. His gravestone features a large bronze sculpture in the shape of a plate with cells. Representing his work in biology.

Musicians

Manuel María Ponce Cuéllar was a Mexican composer, music educator and scholar of Mexican music. He spent his life trying to bring the forgotten tradition of Mexican folklore music to life. His giant stone memorials feature a bust of the composer, mid-writing, as the musical muses float above his head.

Juventino Rosas was born in Santa Cruz, Guanajuato and a violin prodigy from a young age. He would become one of the most famous composers of Mexican salon music. He was one of the most prolific producers of sound recordings released in the later 19th century. So much so that these recordings made their way around the world. Even becoming traditional music played in the USA at funfairs, ice skating rinks and circuses. His grave features a woman embedded into the stone caressing a bronze sheet of music. Below the woman is a realistic bronze violin. Which looks almost as if you could pluck it from the rock and begin to play.

Actresses

María de los Dolores Asúnsolo y López Negrete, better known as Dolores del Río, was one of the most popular Mexican actresses. She was a dancer and singer and was the first major female Latin American crossover star in Hollywood. She is considered one of the most significant female figures in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. And one of the most beautiful actresses of all time. She had it all!! Her grave features metal projections representing her various films. Abstracted images of the actress are emblazoned upon the cylindrical shapes. As if she images and her films are still being projected into the universe.

The Rest of the Cemetery

Although the Rotunda features the most famous citizens, the graves and tombs found outside this area are nonetheless impressive. As someone coming from North America, these graves also amazed me. They featured such exciting materials. There wasn’t just stone used as grave markers, but also stained-glass, metal and, of course, brightly coloured Talavera tiles. Our Lady of Guadalupe’s fiery and floral image finds itself hidden within a myriad of different graves.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this walking tour of the Panteón de Dolores. Let me know in the comments what cemetery you’d like be to cover next!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

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]]> https://thecreativeadventurer.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-panteon-de-dolores-mexico-city/feed/ 2 30301 16 of the World’s Most Beautiful Cemeteries https://thecreativeadventurer.com/16-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-cemeteries/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=16-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-cemeteries https://thecreativeadventurer.com/16-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-cemeteries/#respond Sun, 20 Oct 2019 17:53:00 +0000 https://thecreativeadventurer.com//16-of-the-worlds-most-beautiful-cemeteries/ One of the best ways to get you into this spooky season is a walk around a local cemetery. Cemeteries are often viewed as sombre places to avoid, nothing that a happy traveller would seek out on their next exciting adventure. While they are places of reflection and respect, the dead have a lot to say about the living. Since the dawn of time, the way in which we house, dispose and care for our dead reflects the kind of society, culture and people that lived during that specific time period. While not all of us may love art, or food or sports, what we all have in common is that we will all die. Cemeteries are a place where people or all kinds can come together, for eternity.

The post 16 of the World’s Most Beautiful Cemeteries first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

]]> It’s October, and that means it’s almost Halloween! Travelling during any holiday is always a particular time. There are often lots of unique events and festivals going on throughout cities across the world. But one of the best ways to get you into this spooky season is a walk around a local cemetery. Cemeteries are often considered sombre places to avoid, nothing a happy traveller would seek out on their next exciting adventure. While they are places of reflection and respect, the dead have much to say about the living.

Since the dawn of time, how we house, dispose and care for our dead reflects the kind of society, culture and people that lived during that specific period. While not all of us may love art, food or sports, what we all have in common is that we will all die. Cemeteries are places where people of all kinds can come together for eternity.

Visiting a cemetery is also a great chance to get outside the busy city, see some nature, be awed at artful and ornate tombstones and even check out where a famous person or two are buried. So next time you’re travelling, consider going to a cemetery and taking a quiet wander. Do be as respectful as possible. See if any signs are asking you not to take pictures, walk your dog, or speak loudly. If you see someone morning their loved one, give them their space. Otherwise, unless marked, cemeteries are open to the public and are a great, AND FREE, way to spend the day. While almost all cemeteries have their unique touch, here are some of the most beautiful cemeteries worldwide to visit.

Table Of Contents
  1. #1. Chichicastenango, Guatemala
  2. #2. Merry Cemetery, Săpânţa, Romania
  3. #3. Waverley Cemetery, Australia
  4. #4. Okunoin Cemetery, Japan
  5. #5. Highgate Cemetery, London
  6. #6. La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
  7. #7. Punta Arenas Cemetery, Chile
  8. #8. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, USA
  9. #9. Père Lachaise, Paris
  10. #10. Bonaventure Savannah, Georgia
  11. #11. Mount of Olives, Jerusalem
  12. #12. Panteón de Dolores
  13. #13. South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata, India
  14. #14. Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague
  15. #15. Milan Monumental Cemetery, Italy
  16. #16. St. Andrews Graveyard, Scotland

#1. Chichicastenango, Guatemala

Although your immediate vision of a cemetery might be dull and dreary, the Chichicastenango in Guatemala is an explosion of colour! Upon a hillside, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists, is a cemetery that celebrates the afterlife instead of shying away from it, as is the Mayan tradition. Most townspeople here are indigenous, and preserving their rituals and culture is of the utmost importance. 

Different shades on the tombs symbolize what roles each of these people played or reflect a powerful aspect of their personality. White represents purity; turquoise is reserved for mothers, and grandfathers are marked with bright yellow, representing the golden sun’s protective quality. Looking across this rainbow of tombs, you can imagine the kinds of people laid to rest here and what they mean to the living.

#2. Merry Cemetery, Săpânţa, Romania

Following along the tradition of cemeteries which are bright and cheery, we find ourselves in the Romanian Countryside. Appropriately enough this place’s name is Merry Cemetery. Unlike, Chichicastenango, Merry has become a HUGE tourist destination. People come from all over to admire the hundreds of brilliant blue crosses. Intricate carvings of scenes from the dead person’s life or portraits of the deceased mark each stone. Each gravestone is also etched with a special verse referencing a defining characteristic or story from the life of the deceased. These can be camp and cute or surprisingly honest. These verses are about womanizing, drinking, cheating and even a few choice mother-in-law jokes.

You’ll be surprised to know that the same carpenter, Stan Ioan Pătraş, carved almost all the grave markers here, starting his first in 1935. Today, over 800 of these markers stand in the cemetery. After Pătraş passed, his apprentice Dumitu Pop took over and continued creating these comedic and colourful crosses. Sometimes I think we worship the dead after their passing, so much so that they become infallible and almost inhuman. But these brutally honest carvings reflect that these people were real, just like everyone else. It somehow makes their death more tangible and relatable to strangers passing by. 

#3. Waverley Cemetery, Australia

Waverley Cemetery, atop Bronte Cliffs in Syndey, Australia, is one of the most peaceful places to rest, both for the living and the dead. Sitting across from the South Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea is this picturesque hillside cemetery. Opened in 1877, this cemetery contains some of Australia’s most stunning Victorian and Edwardian-designed tombs. Influential Australians like writer Dorothea Mackellar and poet Henry Lawson can be found here. Over 200 veterans are also laid to rest at Waverley, along with 11 Civil War soldiers who moved to Australia after the horrors they saw during the war back in the US. The cemetery was used for the film The Great Gatsby by Baz Lurhman, which doubled for a cemetery on Long Island. 

When you enter through the front gates, take a moment to study them. They are a memorial to the residents of the area who died during World War I and World War II. Looking at these tombstones is a glimpse into the masonry styles of the period. Being so far away from the rest of the world, Australians have a unique sensibility in their architecture and design. A broken telephone of elements coming from Europe, the Americas and Asia. It’s a playful combination of many styles and is unmissable for those interested in dazzling views and gorgeous designs.

#4. Okunoin Cemetery, Japan

Okunoin Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Japan, but it’s not just its size that makes it so impressive. 200,000 tombstones cover the two kilometres of lush forest that house the graves. Giant cedar trees seem to reach up to the heavens and provide an almost meditative silence for the visitors.

The tombstones throughout the cemetery are known for their distinctive carvings dedicated to the dead housed beneath. You’ll find giant coffee cups in honour of a corporation’s CEO, a pufferfish to acknowledge the chef who died cooking it and even a pile of termites in celebration of a pesticide company’s owner. It might seem strange, but the banality of life is sometimes an important thing to remember. Since the forest is left to its own devices, bright green moss has overtaken many graves. The stones now look like they are part of the forest themselves.

In the middle of the cemetery lies Kobo Daishi‘s mausoleum, the founder of Shingon Buddhism and a sacred pilgrimage spot for Buddhists worldwide. Walking inside the mausoleum, you come upon 10,000 illuminated lanterns glowing inside. Each one is in dedication to someone who has passed. It feels like a dream and not a ghastly experience like you would expect from a cemetery. Surrounded by all these lights, you feel like you can’t help but smile, thinking of each of these lights as a representation of our eternal love for each other. Life may come to an end, but your memory carries on.

#5. Highgate Cemetery, London

Wandering the Highgate Cemetery in London, filled with its high-gothic, Victorian tombstones, feels like stepping back in time. In the 1830s, church cemeteries were overflowing. They became a health hazard, so the city of London authorized the building of seven new cemeteries, the largest and most opulent being Highgate. Over the years, more than 170,000 people have been interred here, and it even houses a few famous occupants such as Karl Marx, novelist George Eliot and the parents of Charles Dickens.

The cemetery’s landscaping has been left to nature, and the wildness provides an eerie, almost undiscovered feeling to the graveyard. Despite feeling untouched, it became a popular destination for tourists, and now the cemetery is only viewable by guided tour. During peak months, these tours require a reservation in advance, so don’t hesitate to book if you don’t want to miss it. Myths and legends regarding the cemetery are plentiful. One of the most prominent is the existence of the Highgate Vampire! The rumours were so persistent that British Psychic and Occult Society officially investigated the phenomenon. A tale the tour guides love to tell!

#6. La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Originally, in 1732, La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires was a modest burial ground outside the church of Our Lady of Pilar run by the monks of the Order of the Recoletos. When the order disbanded in the 1820s, the land was given over the city and turned into a public cemetery. The wealthy population of Buenos Aires began buying up plots and began designing opulent mausoleums. Each one is trying to outdo the next. Soon, it was one of the most popular spots to be buried, and now there are over 4,691 above-ground vaults across over 5.5 hectares of land.

One of the things that makes this cemetery so magnificent is the care people took in both the design of the cemetery and the tombs. The cemetery replicated city blocks and was filled in with lush tree-lined walkways. The mausoleums are intricate marble masterpieces made in all different architectural styles, from Art Deco to Baroque. The most notable grave here is the tomb of Eva Peron, the wife of the president of Argentina who, much like Princess Diana, was adored by her people. Her enormous black granite tomb is still visited today by the people who loved her or still want to thank her for her impact on the country.

#7. Punta Arenas Cemetery, Chile

The Punta Arenas Cemetery is well known as a popular tourist attraction mainly due to its iconic Cypress Trees. Cypress trees have long been an element of classic cemeteries since, in greek mythology, the cypress tree is associated with death, the underworld and eternity. The trees in the Punta Arenas are intricately trimmed, like little fingers sticking out of the ground. They laced their way around the pathways which lead you through the delightful cemetery.

The other iconic element that makes this place so popular is the legends surrounding it. The cemetery is actually “officially” called the Cementerio Municipal Sara Braun, named after Sara Braun, one of the richest women in Patagonia and who donated an enormous stone gateway in 1919 to the cemetery. This iconic piece of architecture is a symbol of Chilean architecture.

After she died, she said no one would ever pass through the gate again. They sealed the gate to honour her wishes, and guests must now enter through a side entrance. It is also rumoured that her body is taken out of her tomb every year on the anniversary of her death, and her family goes to brush her hair and put a fresh coat of makeup on her face. People come from all over to watch to see if the rumours are true, but alas, no one has yet to witness the event.

#8. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, USA

This cemetery is the final resting place of many Hollywood legends, including Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, and Johnny Ramone. With its lush landscaping, beautiful mausoleums, and stunning views of the Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Forever is a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

#9. Père Lachaise, Paris

Père Lachaise Cemetery is a great example of the power of celebrity. It is one of the most picturesque cemeteries in the world and is also home to some very notable people. The cemetery is over 44 hectares and contains a staggering one million bodies! The cobblestone walkways, sophisticated mausoleums, and tree-lined paths all contribute to the overwhelming gothic beauty of this cemetery.

Over 3 million visitors walk the cemetery pathways every year, mostly to visit the famous gravestones and mausoleums that can be found within. This draw that even the dead can bring was part of the cemetery’s design. With the influx of people living (and subsequently dying) in Paris, local church graveyards began to overflow.

In the 1800s, various larger cemeteries were built on the outreaches of town. But they were seen as too far away and were not blessed by any church. Therefore, many God-fearing Catholics wouldn’t be seen dead (quite literally) being interred here. Two years after being built, only 33 people had been buried here. But the owner of the property had a plan. He organized to have the remains of Jean de La Fontaine and Molière to Père Lachaise to help increase its reputation and popularity. He immediately saw people coming from far and wide requesting to be buried alongside their favourite celebrity.

Celebrity Graves

Today, you can see more celebrity graves, including Jim Morrison. He is one of the most popular tombs visited, and guests often leave tokens of love behind for him. The musician Chopin is also interred here, and his grave is adorned by a statue of a beautiful muse holding a lyre. Oscar Wilde‘s grave, sculpted by Jacob Epstein, is a modern piece in the shape of a Sphinx flying through the air. Its mouth, slightly pursed, was often interpreted as if it was reaching out for a kiss and leading visitors to lean in and kiss the stone. So many people were kissing the stone that they began to worry about its preservation. Now, a modern plastic barrier separates visitors from the original stone. Now, they just kiss the plastic instead.

#10. Bonaventure Savannah, Georgia

Bonaventure is best known for its iconic Southern Gothic architecture and uncannily eerie natural surroundings. Snarled oak trees with cobweb-like moss pour over all the tombstones throughout the 19th-century graveyard. The cemetery remained unknown until it was the scene on the cover of the popular novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The hauntingly beautiful sculptures atop the gravestones are one of the reasons the cemetery has had such a draw from artists, poets and writers.

The Little Gracie Watson statue is one of the most iconic images from the cemetery. Little Gracie was born in 1883 but died only 6 years later from pneumonia. At the time of her death, sculptor John Walz had just relocated to Savannah and was moved by the story. He offered to carve a sculpture of the little girl from a photograph to preserve her memory. Today, the sculpture is admired just as much as it was the day it was carved for its lifelike realism of the subject.

#11. Mount of Olives, Jerusalem

The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is over 3,000 years old. Older than any of the others on this list by over 1,200 years. From afar, the sand-hued tombs blend in with the Kidron Valley, so much so that you might not even though it’s there. But when you walk closer, the different shapes and carvings will soon reveal themselves to you. The cemetery is the resting place of rabbis, Christian prophets, and the Israeli prime minister. People were brought from around the world to be buried in this sacred soil.

As you walk past, some tombstones are so old that nothing but a rough headstone remains. The details of who they were and when they died were all lost to time. It is said that this very valley was where Jesus once was thought to walk through the Garden of Gethsemane. Although nothing remains, imagine the lush green groves and trees that once covered this part of the country. The cemetery also provides one of the most spectacular views across Jerusalem.

#12. Panteón de Dolores

The Panteón Civil de Dolores is the largest cemetery in Mexico. You can find the cemetery inside the great Chapultepec Park in Mexico City. The cemetery was created by Juan Manuel Benfield. When his sister Dolores died in Veracruz, shortly after she had arrived from London, he needed a place to bury her. All cemeteries in Veracruz were reserved for Roman Catholics, and Benfield’s family was Anglican. As a large landowner in Mexico City, he founded a large graveyard in her name, naming it Panteón Civil de Dolores. He opened the cemetery up to all religions, and it quickly became one of the most popular burial spots in the city.

Today there are over 700,000 people buried here. Some tombs contain multiple bodies. The cemetery is home to the “Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres” where some of the most famous citizens who contributed to Mexico’s civic, national and human values are entombed. This includes the renowned painter Diego Rivera, whose grave is somewhat of a pilgrimage site for those who come to Mexico City to explore his public works of art. Other famous graves include Tina Modotti, General Calles, Venustiano Carranza, Alfonso Reyes and Ángel del Campo. Each is designed with freedom of creation that you don’t always see worldwide.

#13. South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata, India

The enchanting South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata looks like it grew up from the earth, not constructed atop it. Originally built in 1767 but closed in 1830, this old colonial cemetery has had over 300 years of overgrowth to turn its dull grey tombs into bright green monuments. South Park Street is the largest Christian cemetery outside Europe and North America. When the British came to Kolkata, they required a graveyard for their dead since they did prescribe to the local custom of burning the deceased.

The graves are each ornate creations ranging in styles from Gothic to Indo-Saracenic. Walking beneath the tropical treetops, you’ll find a mix of obelisks, urns, and caskets. Moss grows wildly, and ferns seem to intertwine with the elaborate carvings. One of the most famous graves is of Major-General Charles Stuart. He wanted his tomb to resemble a minature Hindu temple. Despite his nationality, the general wanted to have his tomb inspired by his homeland and adopted country.

#14. Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague

The Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague is the third oldest cemetery in Europe. Some argue it is also the largest, but counting the number of people buried here is a challenge. And that challenge is part of why the cemetery has become so famous. Consecrated in the first half of the 15th century, it was the only place where Jews could be buried in Prague. As per Jewish doctrine, graves cannot be moved. But eventually, the small graveyard ran out of space, so the dead were buried on top of each other. This has resulted in layer upon layer of stones crammed together, looking like a sea of stones. There are estimated to be over 100,000 Jews buried here. Poets, writers, and rabbis lived in Prague’s Jewish Quarter. 

Gravestones over the Ages

There are over 12,000 remaining headstones in the cemetery. The earliest tombstones in the cemetery can be identified by their roman and gothic styles. The renaissance period stones feature lines of poetry and biblical quotes. The 16th and 17th-century tombstones were more intricately sculpted with inscriptions of the deceased’s family name, profession, or even personality trait. A bunch of grapes would have denoted that they had a full life; a pile of books was for cantors and scissors for tailors.

But the meticulous preservation of this cemetery was almost lost to history. During WWII, the Nazis took control of Prague. While they were destroying all memory of Jews worldwide, they decided not to destroy the cemetery. But this was not due to any small kindness; it was instead because they wished to include the cemetery in their “Museum of an Extinct Race .”But, by the grace of all that is good, they did not fulfil their dark plans, and because of this greed on their part, we are left with a very important piece of their history.

#15. Milan Monumental Cemetery, Italy

Looking at the Milan Monumental Cemetery from afar, it might appear like a jumble of cluttered tombstones. But as you approach the individual monuments, you’ll begin to see that each is an artful masterpiece assembled together; this is more of an outdoor art museum than a cemetery.

Some of Italy’s wealthiest families buried their dead here over the last 150 years. A guided tour of the cemetery will take you past some of the most exquisite sculptures which sit upon the dead buried below. The most impressive ones I’m drawn to are the ones with beautiful stone women who have thrown themselves down upon the grave in eternal sorrow over the loss of their beloved. Marble tears forever fall from their eyes.

#16. St. Andrews Graveyard, Scotland

Once the site of St. Andrews Cathedral, most of this stone church has long since disappeared, destroyed by fires and storms. Despite the ravages to the building, the graveyard remains, framed by the last remaining stones of the church and the cliffside below. The graveyard was initially consecrated in the 11th and 12th centuries. Wandering the church’s shell and the graveyard surrounding it can be an eerie yet beautiful experience. There have even been graves unearthed under the floor of the chapter house. The oldest gravestones have been protected from the elements and moved inside a museum nearby. However, many of the remaining ones are still on display. Since the church was built in the medieval period, many gravestones are wonderful examples of medieval stonework.

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