Fully aware that cemeteries are the connection between the living and the death, some people decided to leave imposing and long lasting marks of their existence. The cemetery location, be it a rural hill or a flat city, combined with architecturally rich tombs often convey serenity and peacefulness. Well, number 9 is one splendid exception. Here are 10 of the most famous cemeteries in the world!

1. Protestant Cemetery / Cimitiro Acattolico, Rome

As catholic as it is, Rome is one cosmopolitan city. Non-catholics need a place to rest as well, thus the Cimitiro Acattolico or Cimitero deli Inglesi (Englishmen’s Cemetery) was established in 1738. English Romantic poet John Keats is buried here, as he sadly passed away at the early age of 25 in the early 19th century. Pyramid of Cestius, a small, yet impressive pyramid built in 30 BC became a part of the cemetery border.

 

2. Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

Pere Lachaise is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world. The garden cemetery founded in 1804 is 110 acres large and houses more than 1 million bodies, some of them extremely famous: Balzac, Chopin, Modigliani and Jim Morrison. Initially, the cemetery was not attractive for Parisians, as it was placed outside the city, but after a couple of famous remains were transfered, the place became popular.

3. Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague

The cemetery is placed in Josefov quarter in Prague. The cemetery is no longer used as was filled a long time ago. In fact, burials have been performed from early 15 century until 1787. Because Jews must preserve their graves, up to 12 layers of graves have been successively added and the tombstone reorganized until they said ‘enough’ and opened another cemetery.

4. La Recoleta, Buenos Aires

La Recoleta is one truly imposing cemetery. The rich architectural monuments house famous people like Argentinian presidents and Nobel prize winners. The small surface, just 14 acres, and the reduced number of vaults – 4691 – make the cemetery founded in 1822 really exclusive.

5. Highgate Cemetery, London

Highgate is an upper-scale London neighborhood, so it makes sense to host one of the most famous British cemeteries. Founded in 1839, Highgate cemetery is now an official part of London’s heritage. This garden-like cemetery houses Karl Marx’s grave, as well as famous Brits.

6. Sao Joao Batista, Rio de Janeiro

Former Brazilian presidents and famous artists like Antonio Carlos Jobim and Carmen Miranda are buried in Rio de Janeiro’s Catholic Sao Joao Batista cemetery opened in 1852. The country’s most exquisite and artistic mausoleums are in Sao Joao Batista, “the graveyard of the stars.”

7. Saint Louis Cemetery New Orleans

Three distinct cemeteries for the New Orleans Saint Louis cemetery. Nobody was buried here, as all the vaults are above ground, allegedly an influence of French and Spanish traditions. Saint Louis 1 was founded in 1789 and is the most visited. Most vaults were erected in the 18th and 19th centuries.

8. Green-Wood, New York

Initially, Green-Wood cemetery was destined to belong to a village. While the cemetery was founded in 1838, its Gothic Revival main entrance was constructed in 1861. Since 2006, Green-Wood cemetery, which provides an impressive scenery due to its geographical location, is a national historic landmark. The 478 acres cemetery is still operational.

9. Merry Cemetery, Sapanta, Romania

Virtually all cemeteries are places of regret and melancholy, but not Sapanta. Stan Ioan Patras, a guy who designed wooden tombstones, started creating the colorful pieces. Moreover, what is really striking about the Merry Cemetery are the engraved rhymes. Most of them are short funny life stories. Death is funny to Romanians, what can you say?

10.  Mount Auburn, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Mount Auburn is the first American cemetery. Until it was founded in 1831, bodies were buried in graveyards surrounding churches. For a change, Mount Auburn famous cemetery is placed far from churches. The view changes as well, because Mount Auburn is positioned in a rolling landscape.