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All cultures treat death differently, but one thing cannot be denied – it both frightens and delights … It frightens with the unknown. Death is a mystery, it is unrevealed, and many would like to know what is beyond the line of life, but to learn from others …
According to Buddhism, death does not exist – there is an endless cycle of rebirth. Through karma and eventual enlightenment, Buddhists hope to reach nirvana and avoid samsara, which leads to a release from suffering.
It is necessary to say goodbye to loved ones beautifully and bury in an appropriate setting. People were buried in the Neolithic, so the method of burial is quite ancient. The oldest and world-famous cemetery is the tombs of the Egyptian pharaohs.
There are other equally remarkable and delightful beautiful cemeteries – let’s look at them and find out a brief history.
10 La Recoleta, Buenos Aires
La Recoleta, which is located in Buenos Aires, is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. Anyone who is interested in the subject can get here. The graves of famous people are located here, including the presidents of Argentina, Eva Peron (1919–1952) and others.
There are graves in different styles, mainly Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Baroque, Neo-Gothic and others. “Let’s go for a walk in the cemetery?” – a dubious offer, but if we are talking about La Recoleta, do not refuse!
This cemetery can be added to the main sights of Buenos Aires; it is not without reason that it was included in the UNESCO heritage. The cemetery is interesting not only for the burial of famous personalities, but also for the fact that amazing stories of Argentine aristocrats are hidden in every crypt, every tombstone.
9. Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
Cemetery Pok Fu Lam – Christian, was built in 1882 on the hills. The cemetery complies with all the rules of feng shui, during the design it was decided that the graves would “look” at the sea surface. Interestingly, it descends from the hill to the shore.
The cemetery looks majestic – it is located on a slope, behind which is Mount Sai-Ko-Shan. The terraces with the graves are connected by many stairs – it is better not to go here without a guide, you can get lost, like in a labyrinth.
Despite the high prices (you have to pay for renting a place – 10 years costs 3,5 million rubles), many people want to rest in this cemetery, because it is very beautiful. But the commercial approach also has a positive side – not a single grave here looks neglected.
8. Greenwood Cemetery, New York
New York is a cheerful city where everything seems not so gloomy. Even cemeteries do not inspire negative emotions – on the contrary, sometimes there is a desire to walk through them … Especially when it comes to greenwood cemetery.
Outwardly, it resembles a city park – in general, this was the idea when it was founded in the 1606th century. A cemetery was conceived along the lines of those in Massachusetts and Paris. The main initiator was Henry Piereponte (1680-XNUMX).
In 1860, a magnificent neo-Gothic gate leading to the cemetery was built. They were designed by the architect Richard Upjohn (1802–1878). What distinguishes this cemetery from others is that there are ponds on its territory, and there is even a chapel on one of the banks. Many respected personalities are buried at Greenwood Cemetery, it’s nice to walk among their graves.
7. Pere Lachaise, Paris
Per Lachaise – the largest and most popular cemetery, which is visited by tourists with pleasure. We, Russians, are not accustomed to strolling through the cemetery – it is depressing, and abandoned graves do not cause delight …
But the cemetery of Paris breaks the patterns. Stepping on Pere Lachaise, you understand that you can walk around the cemetery and get positive impressions from the walk! The cemetery is located on the boulevard de Menilmontant, it is more than 2 centuries old.
You can visit it from 8:30 to 17:30, in the summer until 18:00, you do not need to pay an entrance fee. What attracts tourists to this cemetery? In their opinion, first of all, famous names, Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), Edith Piaf (1915–1963), Balzac (1799–1850) and others are buried here. It’s nice to wander here and think about the eternal…
6. Dargavs, North Ossetia
Dargavs – an unforgettable place, and if you are a connoisseur of a gloomy atmosphere, you definitely need to come here. Dargvas is a small village in North Ossetia, Alania, located in the mountains. The village is very ancient – people have lived here since the Bronze Age.
Dargvas is referred to as the “city of the dead”. On the territory there is a necropolis, which has become the hallmark of Ossetia. In Russia, this is the largest burial of this type that has survived to this day – it is understandable why the monument is included in the UNESCO heritage.
You have to pay for the entrance (but the price is ridiculous, about 100-150 rubles). Since the objects are not preserved, everything is on the conscience of tourists. The complex consists of 97 2-storey and 4-storey memorials, resembling a mountain village from a distance.
5. Merry Cemetery, Romania
The name may be funny, but when people bury their loved ones, there is nothing funny … The cemetery is located in the small Romanian village of Sapyntsa in Maramures. There are amazing peasant houses on the territory – you just want to take a picture!
Local Merry Cemetery attracts because of the colorful, bright crosses, therefore, at the suggestion of one French tourist, they began to call him cheerful. Walking around the cemetery and looking at the bright graves, sadness recedes …
But if the weather is unfavorable (for example, it is raining), then you understand the absurdity of the name, because people are buried here, who for some are the meaning of life. In any case, you can take a walk here and look at unusual tombstones – the view from the cemetery is impressive.
4. Poblenou, Barcelona
Walking through the cemetery is, of course, a dubious matter, but there are those who perceive it as entertainment, especially if it is beautiful and you can take photos. Cemetery Poblenou really amazing, just like they say.
It’s worth starting with the fact that the tombstones here “look” at the sea. The atmosphere here is incredible, breathtaking! At first glance, this place does not resemble a cemetery, but a small town, but upon closer examination, everything becomes clear.
The Poblenou cemetery has an unusual burial principle: when a person goes to the next world, the coffin is placed in a special cell – one above the other, creating high-rise buildings. Top rentals are more expensive. The cemetery was founded in 1883, it is a real open-air museum!
3. Jewish Cemetery, Jerusalem
Beautiful view of jewish cemetery opens from above – you can admire the view from the observation deck. It is believed that this cemetery is the most expensive, one place here costs about a million dollars.
The place is incomparable, insanely beautiful, the atmosphere of antiquity fascinates. It is noteworthy that here King Melchizedek was blessed by the forefather Abraham. Slabs and tombstones in this cemetery are made of Jerusalem stone, shimmering in the sun.
The Jewish cemetery is interesting in the arrangement of graves: they stand on top of each other, personalities from different eras are buried here. The Monolith of Siloam is the oldest monument in the cemetery; hermit monks lived here in the XNUMXth century.
2. Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
In the state of Virginia, there is a famous cemetery where soldiers have been buried since the Civil War. It was created in 1865. For Arlington Cemetery allocated 3 km² – it works now.
It is estimated to be closed in 2025 as it will be completely filled. People who contributed to history are buried here, for example, Glenn Miller (1904-1944) – jazz musician, John F. Kennedy (1917-1963). But mostly soldiers are buried here.
In order for you to be allocated a place here, you need to be an outstanding personality, the entrance is closed to mere mortals. But anyone can get here to take a walk, besides, admission is free.
1. Roman non-Catholic cemetery, Rome
Walking through the cemetery makes you think about the eternal and at the same time understand that life is a moment, and you need to act. Much better to meditate on important things in a beautiful cemetery, which is the Roman non-Catholic.
When famous people are buried in the cemetery, it becomes a museum. Here, for example, Samuel Russell (1660–1731), Prang (1822–1901), Bryullov (1799–1852) and others are buried. There are graves in the cemetery that amaze with their extraordinary beauty – it’s amazing how subtly the author approached his work!
Among the graves there are modern, monumental ones – one can say that the cemetery is made in an eclectic style. If you want to find a corner of silence in Rome, then look at Roman non-Catholic cemetery – here you rise in spirit and forget about the earthly fuss.