Info: what cemeteries to visit in Europe?

[TheToadMen]

I would like to visit and photograph local (civil) cemeteries when I visit a new area. So I wanted to make a list of cemeteries to go to, that I can check when planning future holidays or short trips abroad.


Hence this thread inquiring for tips on civil cemeteries in Europe, that are worthwhile to visit from a photographic point of view.


If you've been to a photogenic cemetery, please let us know and post here:
* what - what kind of cemetery is it? (name, type, size, origin, ...)
* where - where is it located? (country, town, address)
* why - why is this an interesting cemetery?
* link - is there a website about this cemetery where we can learn more?
* photo - could you please share a photo you made there?


So please help to make a nice list of civil cemeteries to visit and photograph in Europe.
Thanks,

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

 

[Xmas]

Kendal Green - name
Ditto - location
Details - Google

But in London you would be better with street market names and locations etc.

 

[Xmas]

Highgate Cemetry
See last post

 

[Xmas]

Google London street markets

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Pere Lachaise, Paris, France.

 

[mooseontheloose]

So many places, so little time...

Dead Link Removed- the big four, although Père Lachaise gets the majority of visitors:
Père Lachaise
Montmartre
Montparnasse (Man Ray is buried here)
Passy (the smallest of the four, very close to the Eiffel Tower, but nobody seems to go there)
I've been to all four, in fact, I have some cemetery images in my gallery from these cemeteries

I'll be in Europe this summer and plan on visiting the majority of the cemeteries listed below (plus others) on my European Cemetery Tour (yes, that is exactly what I am doing).

London - the "Magnificent Seven":
Highgate (the more famous and atmospheric Western section requires a somewhat pricey tour)
Kensal Green
Abney Park
West Norwood
Brompton (featured in the first Sherlock Holmes movie starring Robert Downey Jr.)
Nunhead
Tower Hamlets (from my research the most poorly maintained of the seven, don't know if that's still the case)

Other cemeteries in London include:
City of London Cemetery
Putney Vale Cemetery
Postman's Park (a former cemetery, but has a very moving memorial there)

Italy - beautiful memorial sculpture in many of these cemeteries:
Milan - Dead Link Removed
Genoa - Staglieno
Florence - The English (or Protestant) Cemetery
Livorno - Old English Cemetery
Rome - The non-Catholic Cemetery
Bologna - Certosa Cemetery
Venice - Cimitero San Michele (not so much for the sculpture, but the fact that it's an island cemetery. Michael Kenna has photographed here)

Prague
Old Jewish Cemetery
Here's another list: click

Vienna
Centralhof
Cemetery of the Nameless (featured in Before Sunrise, if you've seen that movie)

Salzburg
St Sebastian's Cemetery

Budapest
Kerepesi Cemetery - unfortunately I've cut Budapest from my itinerary but this looks like a really interesting place to visit

I've done a lot of research, these are a few of my bookmarks. For what it's worth, many moons ago I did one of my master's research papers (in History) on these types of cemeteries, and I've been really interested in them ever since. One of my favourite books is by David Robinson, called "Saving Graces". The photos were all shot in black and white during the film era, and feature mostly statuary from Père Lachaise, Staglieno, and Milan's Monumentale cemetery.

A few good websites to check out are: Significant Cemeteries in Europe and European Cemeteries. Loren Rhodes has a good site called Cemetery Travel - about cemeteries all over the world, but the bigger focus is on US cemeteries. However, she does list the size of the cemetery and other kinds of details that you are asking about. If you search through the "Cemetery of the Week" you'll find a number of European Cemeteries that she's been to.

Here's a photo of mine from Montparnasse Cemetery that I like: (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Ok, I think I'll stop now.

 

[goros]

In Barcelona, Cementerio de Montjuic is a must.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montjuïc_Cemetery
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Eng...q38261CQKDm_lU-Ccg9sK-4zHD4atHpBAgSkiRtfvuX_E
http://xixerone.com/2014/10/cementerio-de-montjuic.html

 

[AgX]

I know one cemetry (Brussels) where photography is prohibited. I have no idea why.

 

[pdeeh]

Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey, (Southern England)
Enormous, a fascinating history, full of quirks and interest, and easy to get to by train, especially from London.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookwood_Cemetery

 

[Xmas]

Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey, (Southern England)
Enormous, a fascinating history, full of quirks and interest, and easy to get to by train, especially from London.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brookwood_Cemetery

Well Wiki is a bit abstract

@
The original London Necropolis station was relocated in 1902 but its successor was demolished after suffering bomb damage during World War II.
@

Bits of the facade of the WWII damaged station are (or were quite rescent) still there. If you are in to damage...

 

[trythis]

Copenhagen, Denmark
Vestre Kirkegard

Its HUGE with interesting landscaping that ranges from open feilds to thick, hilly forests. There are old structures and graves and post modern steel sidewalks. Some graves are clustered based on religious affiliation, wars, or even careers. You could spend two full days exploring the graves and people watching as the locals use graveyards as parks.

I can offer a couple b&w shots that show only a few parts:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAByXY/2G9WkzRSmNI/s1064-Ut/14-62-029.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-...AAAAAAByXY/Gu_mi-_4dOQ/s1090-Ut/14-61-006.jpg


The wiki page:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestre_Cemetery


Typos made on a tiny phone...

 

[TheToadMen]

I know one cemetry (Brussels) where photography is prohibited. I have no idea why.

In some countries (like Italy) you sometimes have to ask for a permit upfront or you will be removed by the police.

 

[macfred]

Not too far from your homeland …
Melaten-Friedhof Köln http://www.melatenfriedhof.de/

FUJI GA645 - FUJI Pro 160NS

 

[TheToadMen]

Not too far from your homeland …
Melaten-Friedhof Köln http://www.melatenfriedhof.de/

FUJI GA645 - FUJI Pro 160NS

Have you ever seen Doctor Who: Blink (3rd series, episode 10)?

"Don’t blink.
Blink and you’re dead.
Don’t turn your back.
Don’t look away.
And don’t blink.
Good Luck."

(The doctor's advice on how to handle weeping angels)

 

[macfred]

"Don’t blink.
Blink and you’re dead.
Don’t turn your back.
Don’t look away.
And don’t blink.
Good Luck."

(The doctor's advice on how to handle weeping angels)

Good to know -
what about focusing with one eye closed … ?

 

[TheToadMen]

The Netherlands

When in Amsterdam (Holland) ....

Amsterdam: cemetery "Zorgvlied"
- address: Amsteldijk 237, Amsterdam
- website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zorgvlied_(cemetery)
- website: https://www.amstelveen.nl/web/Zorgvlied-2.htm (official site in Dutch)

Amsterdam: cemetery "Nieuwe Oosterbegraafplaats"
- address: Kruislaan 126, Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam
- website: http://www.denieuweooster.nl/bijzondere-graven/ (small photo impression)

 

[darkosaric]

Warsaw has 3 beautiful and photogenic cemeteries:

1) Powązki
2) Jewish
3) Old Jewish

Also there are lots of others in Warsaw, but those 3 are stunning.
You can take a look in my signature on deviantart for some more examples.

 

[Silver key]

Hello,
There is a half abandoned jewish cemetery in Berlin. I don't quite remember the name but the atmosphere is well anchored in my memory.
From well lined crosses to big mausoleum, full with statues and families searching for their long lost grand parents. At the end of every lanes, the cemetery is transforming itself into an extremely creepy forest inlaid with tombs covered by creepers ...

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

I know it's NOT in Europe, but a phenomenal cemetery, if you're in that part of the world, is Recoleta in Buenos Aires. There are funerary monuments there that rival some public buildings, like the tomb of Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Luis Federico Leloir:

 

[darkosaric]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimitero_Monumentale_di_Milano

 

[Steve Roberts]

Plymouth, England - Ford Park Cemetery http://www.ford-park-cemetery.org/index.html
Plan your trip and you can enjoy a guided tour and visit the display. You may well run into other photographers there. Stop by and say 'hello' to my ancestors who are planted there if you visit!
Steve

 

[TimVermont]

"Venice - Cimitero San Michele (not so much for the sculpture, but the fact that it's an island cemetery. Michael Kenna has photographed here)"
Please note that the cemetery forbids photography, actively enforced by both staff and police as of October 2014.

 

[mooseontheloose]

"Venice - Cimitero San Michele (not so much for the sculpture, but the fact that it's an island cemetery. Michael Kenna has photographed here)"
Please note that the cemetery forbids photography, actively enforced by both staff and police as of October 2014.

Wow - that's disappointing to hear. I wonder why they've decided to forbid it.

 

[darkosaric]

Wow - that's disappointing to hear. I wonder why they've decided to forbid it.

Probably they will charge it. Last weekend I was in Deichtorhallen here in Hamburg on some exhibition (Picasso influence on art and some photo exhibition), and I wanted to take a photo - stuff member told me that I should pay 2 euros for permit, I get a sticker, and then I can make photos.

 

[TimVermont]

Isola San Michele, Venezia

Wow - that's disappointing to hear. I wonder why they've decided to forbid it.

It is still an active cemetery for the commune of Venice. My understanding of rapid-fire Venetian dialect is questionable, but my impression is that it was a reaction to photographers being disrespectful during funerals.