Cemeteries. [insert eerie music]
Spooky, right?
The why the hell do I find myself visiting them every chance that I get? We have a collection of photos guest posted by Eric and Shauna during their visit to the Necropolis in Havana, Cuba, and a few from the cemetery in Xela, Guatemala.
What once freaked me out as a kid is now absolutely fascinating. No lingering spooky ghostly feelings – just silence… and art. This unlikely spot has some of the most beautiful art pieces I’ve seen in my live. It is quite the way to go out – seriously. Sometime dies and then this massive, narcissistic monument goes up designed by sculptors, artists, and architects.
While I personally may not be a stout, religious person, doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the delicate and detailed stained glass that I found made in La Recoleta much different than the rest. Not only where there mainly crypts with the coffins in sight, but the stained glass made every tomb look like a small cathedral.
Sure, you can go and see Evita’s grave in the Duarte tomb, but there is so much more to this spot than that. Wander around. You will be surprised at what small details you will come across.
This is the one place I regret not having gone to when I was in BA. I am a bit of an Evita fan, but unfortunately I didn’t have the time, but the photos look so beautiful. I agree, albeit a bit spooky, cemeteries have something very calming about them.
I have never visited a cemetery but I have seen bodies being burned on the ghats of Varanasi along the River Ganga in India!!!
These are beautifully clicked pics!
I also liked La Recoleta Cemetery, the architecture is just amazing; all those miniature cathedrals, with lots of quite macabre art like skulls and the like. It was interesting to see the long queue on Evitas grave. While many of the people queuing to it clearly were tourists; many were actually there to pay their respects to the “Spiritual Leader of the Nation of Argentina”, she is still loved.
These are some of the best pics I’ve seen of LR, which is btw one of my fave places in BA!!!
@Tammy: I think we had caught a break in the tourist line for Evita but normally there is a huge line to get your moment with her tomb.
@Arti: That is HARDCORE!
@Jarmo: The mini cathedrals are what kept getting me. When I die, I never thought, “Oh man, you know what would be really cool? To erect a massive gothic building in my wake.” They were so beautiful!
@Andi: Why thank you lady! I’m always trying to get a different look on the same locations people go to. It is hard! <3
Great photos! Some of them are so eerie, especially the one of the woman holding the two children. I really enjoyed wandering around Recoleta – mysterious, beautiful, and frightening all rolled into one.
I’m usually freaked out by places like this but LR was the one place that felt less of a cemetery, more of a museum. Great place!
I also just looked for the big tourist line, had a look and took a photo and moved onto the more interesting ones. Really beautiful work there, you can just spend hours wandering.
Stephanie from The Travel Chica also went to a few other cemeteries in Buenos Aires which seem to be even better.
Is it weird that I really like the breastfeeding statue? That would totally be taken down in the U.S. for being “too obscene.”
Usually cemeteries sort of freak me out, but this one looks quite serene. 🙂
Quite an interesting place and your photos are beautiful. My favorite is of the white crystal rosary beads. Did you visit the cemetery in Sucre when you were there?
PS site is looking great!
I first heard about this cemetery from stephanie (the travel chica) and decided to go there one day. Your post makes me wanna go there even earlier!!! Guess I have to change my travel plans and visit BA after South East Asia!!!
Yep, the Chacarita Cemetery is actually my favorite because it has the same grandeur as Recoleta but is bigger and not touristy. Of course, Recoleta is still a must-see. You got some great shots. You can send 10 photographers in there for an hour, and they will all come out with photos of different beautiful details.
I wanted to take a picture of everything – seriously. We were some of the last people wandering around the cemetery which makes it even creepier.
I’ve become less and less freaked out by places like this as we visit more. Now, I won’t get near a morgue with a 10 ft pole.
You should have seen how we had to run in front of this massive tour group to get some of the pictures I got.
I totally agree Christy, which is why I post it here. If you can’t handle a sculpture of a beautiful breastfeeding mama, this blog may not be the one for you. 😛 I thought it was lovely and a celebration of life.
I meant to visit the cemetery but for some reason time went incredibly fast there and we never got the chance. Boo.
Oh man, I’m not sure you should drastically change travel plans for a cememtery lol. <3
Wow- these are incredible! Great shots, guys!
Great pics! When I visited BBAA (long time ago) I didn’t go here…I guess I have to go back!
Gorgeous photos Erica! I did wander around Recoleta a little when I was there, but not nearly enough. It really is a beautiful cemetery.
Stunning. I love checking out cemeteries. Every place I go, I try to find one!
Great stuff….another fan of cemeteries. Always fun to stumble on them as well…
It is easy to take good pics when it is such a photographic place!
We have stumbled across a few (and their histories are fascinating). LOVE the art found among the dead.
Beautiful pics! I love visiting cemeteries when I travel, especially when they have a lot of historical significance. I’ve heard that the ones in Buenos Aires are gorgeous, and this def proves it!
Oh man there is quite a bit there. There are old generals who have had their tombs defaced with “asesino!” and such things. Very interesting.