World’s Most Famous Cemeteries

Why are we so interested in cemeteries? That eery feeling, the tragic stories or the spooky architecture? Whatever the reason, people have been intrigued by cemeteries for centuries and we have been visiting famous grave sties so frequently that the term “tombstone tourist” was coined to describe the millions of grave goers each year. Peruse through my personal list of the world’s most famous cemeteries. 

Père Lachaise, Paris France

“We die only once, and for such a long time.” — Molière

Located in one of my favorite cities, Paris, this is possibly one of the most well known cemeteries around the world.  Famous musicians, writers, politicians and thousands of others are found within its 110 acres (most notably Jim Morrison, Balzac, Molière, Chopin, Edith Piaf, and Oscar Wilde).  It is still an active burial place but you must have either died in Paris or are French to have this as your final resting place.  (Metro stop Gambetta)

Can’t get to Paris any time soon? You can take a spooky virtual tour of Pere Lachaise.

For an extra scare, head down to the Catacombs of Paris.  Created in the 18th century as a way to deal with overcrowding burial issues, the bones, skulls and mass graves are artistically arranged as you weave through narrow passage ways 20 meters below the streets of the city.  Hundreds of steps down lies 6-7 million Parisians and I kicked up the spine-chilling a notch by going one afternoon on a Friday the 13th.

Cimiez, Nice France 

Cimiez is a northern neighborhood of Nice, and at one time it was a Roman settlement so there are several ruins still standing today.  While walking around near the Archeological Museum and the Matisse Museum in the Cimiez area of the city, I stumbled upon a stunning 16th century Franciscan Monastery with grounds overlooking the city.  

The garden offers spectacular views of Nice and this cemetery and grounds are worth the trip.  The painters Henri Matisse and Raoul Dufy as well as Nobel Prize winner Roger Martin du Gard are also buried here.

Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA 

Sitting high on the hill overlooking the Schuylkill River the Laurel Hill Cemetery is one of the country’s largest, oldest and few cemeteries listed as a National Historic Landmark.  When running along Kelly Drive you can see just how vast this 78 acre cemetery is as obelisks, tombs and mausoleums dot the hillside.  Laurel Hill is home to several US political figures, Civil War Veterans and a handful of victims of the Titanic.  They offer informative, creative and intriguing tours monthly with a program of events on their website.

Every year they host a Gravediggers Ball to raise funds for cemetery upkeep.

Glasgow Necropolis, Glasgow Scotland

Across from the Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis boasts an amazing view of the city.  It’s not surprising that I appreciated the haunting beauty of the sculptures, architecture and layout as this cemetery was modeled after the french Père-Lachaise cemetery.  

What began as a peaceful park morphed into a Victorian cemetery after the Cemeteries Act in 1832.  Interested in the history of religion?  Check out the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art across from the Cathedral.

Free tours are offered by volunteers, but they fill up quickly so email them at the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis website to secure a spot.

Monastic City, Glendalough Ireland 

A 6th century early Christian settlement, the Monastic City has church and fort ruins, an impressive bell tower as well as headstones scattered throughout the area adjacent to Wicklow National Park.  It’s an amazing historic site surrounded by the tranquility of the mountains.  Make sure you find St. Kevin’s cross, a massive Celtic style cross carved out of one giant piece of granite.  

Folklore says that if you can wrap your arms around the monument and your fingers can touch all of your wishes will be granted. Glendalough translates to the valley of two lakes so make sure to spend time taking in the beautiful scenery the park has to offer.  They have great walking and hiking trails including the Wicklow Walks giving you an opportunity to explore.

St. Louis Cemetery No 1, New Orleans Louisiana, USA

Arguably the most famous cemetery in the United States because of the connections with New Orleans and Voodoo, the St. Louis cemetery has been a Louisiana landmark since the late 1700’s. Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is buried here, so if you are feeling a little superstitious, you can visit her burial plot. 

Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn New York, USA 

Old unmarked graves, interesting historical figures, legends and stories are all ingredients that make for a good cemetery visit. Green Wood in Brooklyn has all of these and then some. Because this green space was established before Central Park, it was a place where people used to come to escape the concrete jungle. 

Not only are there many unmarked civil war graves within the grounds, but there are also some famous New Yorkers resting here, including Charles Feltman, the inventor of the American hot dog. You can ask for a map at the front gate and it will show you where politicians, writers and the who’s who are all located. 

There are a few unwanted guests that live in the cemetery you wouldn’t expect. There is a flock of Monk Parrots who reside here but the problem is, that type of bird is indigenous to Argentina. Legend says that a crate of birds turned up at JFK airport and got loose, while another theory is a small group escaped from a pet shop and set up shop in the cemetery.  

Jewish Cemetery, Prague Czech Republic 

For some, tourism in Prague has taken over the city, with overtourism becoming an increasingly larger issue for the Czech Republic capital. 

Dating back to the 15th century, there are over 12,000 stones squeezed next to each other within the cemetery and it’s estimated that there are 100,000 people buried here over the centuries. 

“Dark Tourism” Intersecting with Sustainable Travel 

With the rise of “dark tourism” or travel to places of the macabre, the idea of being a more mindful traveler becomes even more paramount. Dark tourism is travel that centered around visiting tragic places. Going to Chernobyl in the Ukraine, touring old prisons like Alcatraz in San Fransisco or visiting places like Pearl Harbor or Hiroshima could all be classified as ‘dark tourism’ destinations. 

So, is this type of travel ethical? The debate can be a complex one. Just like when thinking about responsible tourism on a large scale, narrowing the focus to niche travel is just as important in the conversation. 

A big part of how we are choosing to visit these locations involves who we choose to show us these places. Are we using responsible tour operators that will provide local, historical and accurate information? Are we being exploitive of other cultures or events or are we there to learn? Is there an aspect of voyuerism happening, or is it respectful? 

How we behave in these places is one way we can be better travelers. Reverence is your best bet, acting respectful in these destinations. How loud are is the group being or is it appropriate to take photographs are two of a few questions to ask ourselves.