A Little History on Victorian England

Queen Victoria was crowned in 1837, and she remained on the throne for a staggering 64 years until her death in 1901. She married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg (German dynasty) in 1840. Together they had nine children and were very happily married. Her keen interest in family soaked into the fabric of British society and influenced generations to come. When Albert died suddenly in 1861, Victoria went into a period of mourning, which would last until her eventual death. She wore black for the rest of her life after the death of her husband and even had the servants lay out his clothes daily.

Under Victoria’s reign, Britain saw a time of significant cultural expansion. There were so many historic advances in industries, science and communications. Under her watchful eye, there was also the expansion of railways and the building of the London Underground. These elements would combine to create a melting pot which produced the magical Christmas traditions we cherish today.

The Christmas Tree

Queen Victoria married her beloved Prince Albert in 1840. As he was of German descent, he brought many of his hometown traditions with him to Windsor palace. One of these was the Christmas Tree. Christmas trees had been established in Germany since the 16th-century. In Germany though, they were generally placed on the tabletop instead of on the floor. These trees were relatively unassuming, with nothing more than candles placed on the tree as decoration.

In 1848 the Illustrated London News published a picture in their newspaper of Queen Victoria and her family around their beloved Christmas tree. But their English Christmas tree was adorned in beautiful ornaments. From there, the populace became enchanted with the idea of decorating their own Christmas tree. Since it was quick to mass-produce these decorations due to so many now industrial plants opening up, the market for the ornaments exploded. Round glass baubles in bright and reflective materials that would reflect then candlelight became the most popular commodity at the end of the 19th century.

Pile on the Ornaments

As mentioned before, Victorians loved their ornaments. In the late 19th century, the traditional colours for ornaments were the patriotic red, white and blue to represent the British flag. Small drums, airships and trains were also a popular kind of decoration. These were meant to express your national pride and love for the British military. With the invention of the printing press, die-cut images of Santas, angels, and other Christmas iconography were popular things to hang on the tree.

Lametta or tinsel was the final flourish any Victorian would add to their tree. The origins of hanging tinsel on the tree date back to 1610 in Nuremberg, Germany. Back then, people would use real strands of silver to hang on their tree which was meant as a means to show off their immense wealth. But as silver tarnished so quickly, it was swapped for the more durable copper or tin strands. This also meant it was much cheaper to buy and, therefore, accessible to the general public, who ate up the tinsel’s trendy look.

DIY Ornaments

Other Christmas ornaments were made by the lady of the house. Since the printing press made publications easy to mass-produce, women’s magazines begun popping up everywhere. Inside of them were instructions on how the dutiful housewife could create her own ornaments. Making these homemade ornaments was seen as a way to show off your skills as a housewife, even if you could afford store-bought ones. One popular design was made from coloured paper and shaped into horns. Then the horns were filled with sweets or dates that the children could eat during the holidays. Another design used silk ribbons to make pompoms and tassels or you could create a snowman out of cotton wool!

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Enjoy time with Family

It wasn’t until the Victorian era that Christmas became an official “holiday,” and working-class people got time off work. In the Victorian era, in England and Wales, December 25th and 26th were made into official holidays. This would allow the new middle-class workers who had moved to the city for their jobs time to go back home to visit their families. Even those who grew up far away could get back home quickly with the advent of the newly built train lines. Queen Victoria and her husband Albert thought family life was essential to overall well-being. And they wanted their citizens to be able to return home to be with family at Christmas.

Gift Giving

Queen Victoria’s reign was during the time of the first Industrial Revolution. Factories and mass production meant that many products previously only made by hand which cost a fortune were suddenly available to the middle class at a significantly lower price. This was especially significant when it came to Christmas gifts. Before toys were reserved for the rich but now almost all children’s parents might be able to afford to buy them something special to play with.

If you couldn’t afford toys, your stocking was filled with nuts, apples and clementines. Putting clementines into socks goes back to a group of nuns in the 12th century. This group of French nuns was inspired by the legend of St Nicholas and would leave apples and tangerines inside socks of the houses of the poor. At this time these fruits were very rare and expensive and eating them would have been a once-a-year kind of treat!

We know all about the kinds of gifts which Victorian men, women and children would have on this Christmas list thanks to Victorian Women’s magazines. Just like today, they were filled with gift guides. Popular gifts for women were; fans, perfume, Christmas decorations, sewing baskets, sewing scissors and even a magazine subscription.

Gifts for men included smoking caps, braces, shaving soaps, slippers, tobacco pouches, umbrellas or cigar cases. Gift for children consisted of hair ribbons, wax dolls, mittens, a toboggan, stamp albums, wooden toys, marbles, building bricks and toy soldiers.

Embrace Handmade Gifts

Just as the newly printed Women’s magazines influenced handmade ornaments, they also influenced the tradition of making handmade gifts. This was not just to show off your craft skills but as a means of displaying your wealth through your ability to have enough free time to make a gift, rather than buy them. Things like knitted mitted, handkerchiefs, button-boxes and aprons were popular gifts for the Victorian lady.

Send some Christmas Cards

More revolutions in the industrial era meant that mail was now able to travel further distances and at low costs. The “Penny Post” was introduced in the UK in 1840. Letters could be sent anywhere in the country for only a penny (about 10 cents nowadays). In 1843 a famous printer, Sir Henry Cole, got the idea to produce lovely illustrated cards in his shop during the Christmas season. People could buy them for a shilling to send home and bring a smile to their family’s face if they couldn’t return themselves. Sir Henry Cole would go on to be the first director of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Christmas Crackers

One of my favourite things to do at Christmas dinner is open my Christmas Cracker. I loved making them from DIY materials when I was a kid and filling them with presents of my own making. Christmas Crackers were invented by a candy maker in 1846. Tom Smith, a London inventor, packaged his candies into these fancy wrappings inspired by French bonbon wrappers he had seen in Paris. He added paper hats and toys to give his sweets an edge against the competition which was explosive during the holiday season. But it wasn’t until he added the iconic explosive “bang” that his “crackers” were cemented into the hearts and minds of all.

Do some Carolling

While singing hymns during Yuletime was a 400-year practice, it was primarily done in the church. In the Victorian era, they rediscovered a love of singing at home around the piano. Since the production of these musical instruments was now being mass-produced they were now popping up all over the place in middle-class homes. The 18th century also saw the mass production of Christmas sheet music. This meant that anyone who could read the music could pick up a copy of the sheet music for only a few shillings and entertain their guests at home with a raucous sing-along.

Parlour Games

We all have our favourite board game we each drag out of the cupboard at Christmas to play with the family. But the tradition of game playing with family at Christmas dates back to the Victorian era (although in a much more dangerous way). Back then, they didn’t have Scrabble, Catan or Monopoly. Instead, they would play their favourite game, “Snapdragon.” To play, you’d fill a bowl with brandy and raisins and turn off all the lights. Then you’d set the brandy on fire, and everyone would have to grab the raisins out of the bowl, seemingly trying to avoid catching on fire or being burned in the process. Undoubtedly, this resulted in many fires, injuries, burns and probably is why we don’t play it anymore…

“Kissing Balls”

Victorians get the reputation of being quite stuffy, but they were also a massive bunch of nutters. They were perhaps just better at trying to hide it. Holidays and parties were their excuse to let their guard down and have fun! They loved the idea of mistletoe and would jump at the chance to kiss a stranger! Previously mistletoe used as decoration looked more natural and organic, just a bunch of the branches tied together. But it was the Victorians that came up with the idea to form it into a more eye-catching “kissing ball” to draw the eye and get a smooch.

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Whether you sit around the TV every year watching ‘A Muppet’s Christmas Carol,’ ‘Scrooged,’ or even the classic 1935 version of ‘A Christmas Carol‘, the story is one of the most popular holiday tales. A Christmas Carol was Charles Dickens‘ first published novel, released in 1843. Many of our classic ideas around “Christmas time” were created from his novelization. This includes the focal themes of family, charity, and good cheer.

Light the Advent Candles

In Victorian England, many households would place candles in their window during Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas. This was a symbol to travellers that food and shelter could be found inside. This was something all good Christians were implored to do, as a means to show charity. It also represents the theme from the Christmas story as Mary and Joseph sought shelter on their own pilgrimage. It was customary for businesses to give their customers candles as gifts around Christmas since households would go through hundreds of candles a month!

Santa Claus

The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch word for St. Nicholas “Sinter Klass.” When the Dutch settlers moved to America in the 17th century, they brought the tradition of celebrating St. Nicholas’ saints day on December 6 by filling Stockings with gifts. In 1870 after Santa Claus’ popularity had grown in America, it made its way over to Britain. Since the popularization of Christmas by Queen Vicotria has already started to grow, the general public really latched onto the image of Santa Claus. It was then that it cemented itself in the minds of the people as the symbol of the season.

The Christmas Pickle

If you have any German ancestry, you might already know all about this odd Christmas tradition. In Germany, it was common practice to hide a pickle-shaped ornament somewhere in the tree. The first child to find the decoration on Christmas morning would receive a special gift. The tradition made its way to England in the Victorian era, no doubt from Prince Albert. Although the addition of the Christmas pickle seems to have died out in England these days, during the Victorian period, under the watchful eye of Prince Albert, it was a staple in any household.

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Roast Turkey

Queen Victoria’s Christmas table was known to display the very best of England’s harvest and hunt. Although the ingredients were all harvested from the countryside around the castle, the chefs were always French. French chefs were in-vogue with the upper classes at the time, influenced by King Louis 14th luxurious court. A roast turkey with chestnut stuffing was a classic Victorian staple on the royal Christmas banquet table.

Sugar Plums

In the Victorian era, one of the most popular sweets to eat during the holidays was called “sugar plums.” The candy was made of nuts, spices and sugar, and rolled into a ball. The dark colour had the appearance of a plum, and that is where it got its name despite there being no plums in the dessert. Queen Victoria was known to hang cones on her Christmas tree and filled them with these sugar plums. Her love of the dessert popularized the sweet greatly. It was so popular even made its way into Tchaikovsky‘s famous ballet The Nutcracker, with the ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’

Whether you find your Christmas season already filled with all these traditional elements or you’ve found some historical ideas to incorporated into your holiday plans I hope you enjoyed reading this post! Let me know in the comments what surprised you most or any other historical traditions you have on your Christmas table.

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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.

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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!

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#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.

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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.

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#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.

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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.

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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.

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#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.

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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.

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#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. 

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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.

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#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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I have never been to Niagara-on-the-Lake prior to this visit. I had passed through many times on the way to Niagara Falls but never stayed in this enchanting little town. The best place to stay is the historic Prince of Wales Hotel.

No exaggeration; this is the most beautiful hotel I have ever visited in North America. Last Fall, we stayed in a 5-star hotel in Beverly Hills, and although it was pretty posh, it was too modern for my tastes. I prefer something with a bit of history. So this hotel felt like it was MADE for me.

About the Prince of Wales Hotel

The Prince of Wales Hotel stands as a landmark in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. It has stood in this exact spot since 1864! It is a part of a chain of hotels called Vintage Hotels. This company features some of the best-preserved hotels in Ontario, which retain their antique charm but have many modern amenities.

The name of the hole “Prince of Wales” was in honour of the 1901 Duke and Duchess of York visit. These two would later be crowned King George V and Queen Mary. Their legacy can be seen all over the hotel. Paintings of their reign are hung throughout the hallways and guest rooms. And the essence of Victorian charm covers the floors, walls and even ceilings.

Architecture

Its architectural style was that of the Second French Empire, seen most clearly in its mansard roof. Everything felt so regal. It was as if you became the same kind of royalty that his hotel was named after when you entered. Our suite was in the building the furthest away from reception, but I didn’t mind. Walking down all the corridors and exploring every little corner of this place was a treat.

Rooms and Suites

Our hotel room was the cutest little place. Even the rooms are decorated in the Victorian style with Tiffany stained glass lamps on either side of the room and paintings of young girls in frilly dresses all over the place. We even had our little fireplace, the perfect thing to curl up in front of after coming in from the cold outdoors.

The approximate room costs are as follows: Traditional Rooms: $300 CAD, Superior Rooms: $330 CAD, Deluxe Rooms: $360 CAD, Premium Rooms: $390 CAD, Suite Rooms: $440 CAD

One of my favourite things about this place was the corridor into the reception area. It was lined with replica paintings from famous Flemish painters and other grandmasters. Even the wallpaper was luxuriously embellished! The ornate frames seemed to grow and swell with overgrowth as if they were living within these walls.

Pool & Spa

After settling in, we headed off for a dip in the pool. Even the swimming area was decked out with Victorian designs. The shape of the pool reminded me of European bathhouses.

After a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub, we were off for our couple’s massage in their world-class spa! We changed into our robes and made our way down to the spa. We sat in lush leather chairs and sipped tea and coffee while waiting. Even the bathrooms down here were gorgeous. Delftware-inspired porcelain sinks and wall tiles sparkled, and real wooden doors with etched glass made up each stall.

Restaurant and Food

The room where we had our massage was sumptuously decorated. It was perhaps the largest room I’d ever been in for a massage, but the luxury of the place simply added to the relaxation. After our massage and little outing, we returned to the hotel for a 4-course Valentine’s Dinner. Everything was perfect, but we perhaps had the best time entertained by a couple fighting with the waiter beside us. We gave him our condolences as they were the worst kind of people, but it made for a very entertaining dinner.

After too much wine and indulgence, we went back to the room where roses and chocolate-covered strawberries were awaiting us. We ate them before the fire as night poured itself over our eyes. 

The next morning we ordered food to our room, not wanting to escape the warmth of our fireplace. I ordered a simple English breakfast with cinnamon biscuits, and Dan chowed down some peanut butter pancakes.

But like all things, there must be an ending. We begrudgingly packed up our things and headed out. It was undoubtedly the most romantic and luxurious weekend of my life – and I got to spend it with my favourite person in the world.

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