Many cemeteries can tell something about a place’s past and the top cemeteries can not only tell about a place’s past but also something of the people that live there. After the initial haunting feeling some cemeteries can make for interesting visits. Here are possibly the top 10 best cemeteries worth visiting:
01: Pére-Lachaise, Paris, France
A rural cemetery, Parisians jog its winding paths. A statue of Egyptian style, of a man in flight marks the tomb of Oscar Wilde which is adorned in lipstick from devoted fans. Sometimes crusades of groupies flock to the grave of Jim Morrison.
02: Merry Cemetery, Romania
Over 900 graves are tucked behind the Sapanta’s Church of the Assumption. Carved Oak crosses mark every grave and each one has a tale in art or poetry about the dead. “Leave a little wine” is the epitaph left on one long time drinker’s grave.
03: St. Louis No. 1, New Orleans, Louisiana
This 18th century cemetery houses over a thousand above ground tombs and was probably immortalized in the 1969 movie “Easy Rider”. Legend has it that, the pirate Lafon and the Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau are buried here.
04: Forest Lawn, Los Angeles, California
Located in the Hollywood Hills overlooking the studios, this cemetery, apart from a glittering Venetian glass mosaic, looks rather dull considering the bright stars that are buried here. Bette Davis, Liberace and many other household names rest here. Michael Jackson was buried in a hidden grave, not far away in Glendale.
05: La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
This is an exclusive cemetery and most visitors head straight for the tomb of Eva Duarte, which is the maiden name for Eva Perón. Here among large stone angels, stands a statue of a Bride, it marks the grave of a bride who died whilst on her honeymoon.
06: Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca, Mexico
Surrounding a crumbling chapel, this old graveyard is so crowded that it is difficult to walk between the graves and becomes almost impossible on October 31st, when the people of Oaxaca honor the day of the dead. At this time, at the new cemetery, a carnival atmosphere surrounds vendors selling ‘muerto’, bread of the dead from tents.
07: Mount Auburn, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Many distinguished Americans are buried among the Maple and Oak trees on these rolling hills. Opened in 1831, it was meant also as a place for the living and so was positioned on a large expanse of land, open to the public. This led to the founding of the U.S. Park system.
08: Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, Czech Republic
Dating from the 15th century, this one block size cemetery holds more than 12,000 graves, many marked with ornate symbols such as the Lion.
09: Lone Fir Cemetery, Portland, Oregon
This is one of only a few cemeteries that allow the planting of a tree or garden in recognition of a loved one. The names on the graves read like a history book of Portland and Block 14 is a memorial to the Chinese who first built the city.
10: Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York
This 478 acre oasis in the city has a park like feel. A Gothic style gate built in 1831 marks the entrance and the Manhattan skyline can be seen through the 100 year old trees.