Cemeteries might not be the first stop on a typical sightseeing list, but many are more than just solemn spaces for the departed. They’re rich in history, adorned with incredible architecture, and serve as peaceful sanctuaries for quiet reflection. If you’re a fan of history, art, or just enjoy serene settings, these seven cemeteries are truly worth visiting.
Père Lachaise Cemetery (Paris, France)
Why You Should Visit:
Père Lachaise is one of the world’s most visited cemeteries, blending art, culture, and history. It’s practically a celebrity hot spot—except for the fact that all its residents are deceased.
Highlights:
– Historical Background: This cemetery, which opened in 1804, was among the first to adopt the garden-style layout. It’s also the largest cemetery in Paris.
– Famous Burials: The likes of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Frédéric Chopin, and Édith Piaf have their final resting places here.
– Unique Features: With its gothic mausoleums, ornate sculptures, and detailed tombs, Père Lachaise feels like an open-air museum.
– Tranquil Ambiance: The shaded paths and intricate monuments offer a serene escape from the bustle of the city.
Fun Fact:
Despite its modest appearance, Jim Morrison’s grave consistently draws crowds of fans who leave behind tokens and messages, making it one of the most visited grave sites in the world.
Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington, Virginia, USA)
Why You Should Visit:
A deeply significant site, Arlington National Cemetery serves as a tribute to those who served in the U.S. military. It’s a place to reflect on sacrifice, bravery, and honor.
Highlights:
– Historical Significance: Established during the Civil War, it now holds over 400,000 graves, making it a key site for understanding U.S. history.
– Notable Burials: Here lie figures such as President John F. Kennedy, astronaut John Glenn, and civil rights hero Medgar Evers.
– Memorial Ritual: Witness the solemn Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a time-honored tradition that highlights the respect paid to fallen soldiers.
– Memorial Monuments: Don’t miss the Eternal Flame at JFK’s grave, as well as the iconic Iwo Jima Memorial.
Fun Fact:
The land used for the cemetery was once owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The Union government confiscated the estate during the Civil War as an act of punishment, converting it into a national burial ground.
Highgate Cemetery (London, England)
Why You Should Visit:
With its gothic aesthetic, overgrown ivy, and Victorian-era graves, Highgate Cemetery offers a unique, eerie charm. It’s the perfect spot for those who appreciate history with a spooky twist.
Highlights:
– Historical Roots: Highgate opened in 1839 and quickly became one of the most fashionable places for wealthy Victorians to be buried.
– Famous Residents: The most well-known grave belongs to Karl Marx, but you’ll also find authors like George Eliot and scientist Michael Faraday.
– Architectural Gems: The West Cemetery is home to the Egyptian Avenue and Circle of Lebanon, where you’ll find stunning tombs, catacombs, and a towering ancient cedar tree.
– Mysterious Atmosphere: The cemetery’s winding paths, crumbling headstones, and thick vegetation give it an air of haunting beauty.
Fun Fact:
Highgate is often said to be one of the most haunted places in London, with numerous ghost stories adding to its reputation.
La Recoleta Cemetery (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Why You Should Visit:
La Recoleta is renowned for its stunning mausoleums and being the resting place of some of Argentina’s most influential people. It’s more like a neighborhood of the dead, with elaborate “houses” for its occupants.
Highlights:
– Historical Background: Dating back to 1822, this cemetery is a snapshot of Argentine history and wealth, with many aristocrats and political leaders interred here.
– Notable Burials: Eva Perón, one of Argentina’s most beloved figures, is buried here, and her tomb is often surrounded by flowers from adoring visitors.
– Opulent Mausoleums: The graves range in style from Baroque to Art Deco, showcasing the wealth and status of the individuals buried here.
– Labyrinthine Layout: Wandering through La Recoleta feels like navigating a city for the dead, complete with narrow lanes and intricate stonework.
Fun Fact:
The tomb of Rufina Cambaceres is linked to a legend that she was mistakenly buried alive in 1902. When they later opened her coffin, scratch marks were reportedly found on the inside.
Mount Auburn Cemetery (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
Why You Should Visit:
As the first garden cemetery in the U.S., Mount Auburn pioneered the idea of creating burial grounds that doubled as serene, park-like spaces. It’s an ideal spot for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Highlights:
– Historical Significance: Founded in 1831, Mount Auburn set a new standard for cemeteries by blending nature with a reflective space for remembrance.
– Famous Burials: Notable figures like poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and suffragist Julia Ward Howe are buried here.
– Natural Beauty: The cemetery doubles as an arboretum, featuring ponds, walking paths, and thousands of trees that attract birdwatchers and hikers.
– Artistic Monuments: The cemetery boasts beautiful structures like the Bigelow Chapel and a sphinx monument commemorating the abolition of slavery.
Fun Fact:
Mount Auburn was designed not just as a cemetery but also as a public park. Many people visit just to enjoy a peaceful walk, even if they don’t have loved ones buried there.
Cimitero Monumentale (Milan, Italy)
Why You Should Visit:
With its monumental tombs and sculptures, Cimitero Monumentale feels more like an art museum than a cemetery. It’s the perfect stop for anyone who appreciates Italian art and history.
Highlights:
– Historical Background: Established in 1866, this cemetery is a tribute to Milan’s artistic and cultural heritage.
– Famous Burials: Author Alessandro Manzoni and conductor Arturo Toscanini are among the notable figures buried here.
– Artistic Masterpieces: The cemetery is full of elaborate statues, stunning mausoleums, and intricate carvings, all designed by Italy’s top artists and sculptors.
– Famedio: This majestic memorial chapel is where many of Milan’s most distinguished citizens are entombed.
Fun Fact:
Cimitero Monumentale is often called an “open-air art gallery” because of its impressive collection of artwork and architectural masterpieces.
Old Jewish Cemetery (Prague, Czech Republic)
Why You Should Visit:
Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery is one of the oldest and most hauntingly beautiful Jewish cemeteries in Europe, dating back to the 15th century. Its crowded, layered gravestones create an unforgettable sight.
Highlights:
– Historical Significance: Used from 1439 to 1787, the cemetery contains over 12,000 visible tombstones, though the actual number of people buried here is much higher due to the limited space.
– Famous Residents: The cemetery is the resting place of important Jewish figures, including Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, a scholar tied to the legend of the Golem of Prague.
– Crowded Layout: Due to lack of space, graves were layered on top of each other, creating the famous densely packed rows of tilted tombstones.
– Cultural Impact: As one of the last surviving relics of Prague’s once-thriving Jewish community, this cemetery is a solemn reminder of Jewish heritage.
Fun Fact:
Because Jewish law forbids the removal of tombstones, graves were piled in layers up to 12 deep in some areas, which is why the cemetery looks so packed with stones.
Final Thoughts
Cemeteries can offer much more than a place for mourning—they provide a glimpse into history, art, and culture. From the grandeur of La Recoleta in Buenos Aires to the somber beauty of Prague’s Old Jewish Cemetery, these seven spots offer a unique way to explore the past while enjoying some tranquil surroundings.