Travel: Walking with the dead
November 4th 2007 02:30
I am not weird. I just like to step out of the usual tourist attractions and seek for that special something about the place. So I found a hobby - I visit the dead.
It's not just me. A lot of people are doing it, as part of their search into someone's life. For some, it's a relaxing experience, and I can see why. Some of the ancient cemeteries are simply beautiful. The large magnificent tomb stones, the flowers, carefully trimmed along the cobble stone walkways. It's like being on a movie set.
Some of the highlights are:
Vienna - Zentralfriedhof (The Central Cemetery)
Here lies the musical masters Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss and Schoenberg. This cemetery was opened in 1874, and some new parts are still taking in new residents. You can get a map of 'Graves of Honour' from entrance gate 2.
There is a monument to Mozart here, but he is actually buried in the St Marxer Friedhof.
Vienna - St Marxer Friedhof (Cemetery of St Mark)
Mozart's grave was initially unmarked, having died poor and unsuccessful. His grave now has a large memorial stone.
Prague - Vysehrad Cemetery
Burial ground of many famous Czech personalities, once again, my association with this cemetery are composers Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana. Many artists, writers and intellectuals are also present here.
Paris - Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Perhaps the most famous in all cemetery visits, here lies Chopin, Proust, Wilde and Piaf and of course the legendary Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors.
Buenos Aires - Cementerio de la Recoleta
Extremely beatiful with impressive statues and marble sarcophagi where the afterlife real estate is pricier than those of the living. This is where past presidents and powerful military figures and politicians lie in peace. The most famous is the grave of Evita. Her husbane Juan Peron's grave lies across at another corner of the cemetery. You can also hunt down the grave of Carlos Gardel, the famous tango dancer and aviator Jorge Newbery.
It's not just me. A lot of people are doing it, as part of their search into someone's life. For some, it's a relaxing experience, and I can see why. Some of the ancient cemeteries are simply beautiful. The large magnificent tomb stones, the flowers, carefully trimmed along the cobble stone walkways. It's like being on a movie set.
Some of the highlights are:
Vienna - Zentralfriedhof (The Central Cemetery)
Here lies the musical masters Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, Strauss and Schoenberg. This cemetery was opened in 1874, and some new parts are still taking in new residents. You can get a map of 'Graves of Honour' from entrance gate 2.
There is a monument to Mozart here, but he is actually buried in the St Marxer Friedhof.
Vienna - St Marxer Friedhof (Cemetery of St Mark)
Mozart's grave was initially unmarked, having died poor and unsuccessful. His grave now has a large memorial stone.
Dvorak's grave in the Vysehrad Cemetery in Prague
Prague - Vysehrad Cemetery
Burial ground of many famous Czech personalities, once again, my association with this cemetery are composers Antonin Dvorak and Bedrich Smetana. Many artists, writers and intellectuals are also present here.
Paris - Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Perhaps the most famous in all cemetery visits, here lies Chopin, Proust, Wilde and Piaf and of course the legendary Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors.
Buenos Aires - Cementerio de la Recoleta
Extremely beatiful with impressive statues and marble sarcophagi where the afterlife real estate is pricier than those of the living. This is where past presidents and powerful military figures and politicians lie in peace. The most famous is the grave of Evita. Her husbane Juan Peron's grave lies across at another corner of the cemetery. You can also hunt down the grave of Carlos Gardel, the famous tango dancer and aviator Jorge Newbery.
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Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
If you're weird, I'm weird too. I think cemetaries are fascinating places, especially older ones and ones in small towns. Finding the connections in the names and dates, seeing the monuments or how the burial places are segregated according to religions and 'sinners' etc...
Great post.
Michaelie
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