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Cemeteries and graveyards often evoke feelings of sorrow and reflection for many, while others see them as eerie places rumored to be teeming with supernatural energy. Beyond their somber or spooky reputations, these burial sites can also boast remarkable beauty, featuring intricately designed monuments and awe-inspiring vistas of the natural surroundings. Here are 10 global burial sites with mesmerizing views that could serve as an idyllic final resting place, attracting visitors eager to explore their unique charm.
10. Varenna Cemetery, Italy
While Lake Como is a beloved Italian vacation spot, many travelers are unaware that it’s also home to one of the world’s most picturesque cemeteries. Nestled along the shores of Lake Como, Varenna Cemetery offers uninterrupted views of the lake’s shimmering blue waters and the majestic mountains in the distance.
Carved into the hillside, the cemetery features grand mausoleums built into the slope above, while smaller graves line the pathway near the lake. Several hiking trails around Varenna, including one leading to the historic ruins of Vezio Castle, pass through this serene burial ground. Its secluded location ensures a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere for visitors.
9. Père Lachaise Cemetery, France
Founded in 1804 by Napoleon Bonaparte, Père Lachaise Cemetery spans 108 acres (44 hectares) in Paris and draws three million visitors annually, earning its title as the world’s most visited necropolis. Its allure lies in its 70,000 intricately designed tombs, set amidst lush greenery and beautifully landscaped gardens.
This Parisian cemetery is the final resting place of numerous notable figures. Among the most famous graves are those of writer Oscar Wilde, often marked with lipstick kisses, and musician Jim Morrison, whose simple tomb is frequently decorated with flowers and tributes from admirers. Other notable graves include writer Georges Rodenbach’s, featuring a striking statue of him emerging dramatically from the tomb, and journalist Victor Noir’s, whose life-sized bronze sculpture includes a humorous detail—a prominent trouser bulge that legend says brings fertility luck when touched.
8. Sunset Chapel, Mexico
Situated in Acapulco, Sunset Chapel serves a dual purpose: celebrating marriages and honoring the departed. The architectural firm BNKR, responsible for its design, drew inspiration from the interplay between life’s beginnings and endings. This contrast influenced every aspect of the chapel’s design, blending elements like glass and concrete, transparency and solidity, and the ethereal with the substantial.
The structure was thoughtfully designed to reflect the breathtaking natural landscape, with its church-crypt combination resembling one of the massive granite boulders scattered across the mountainside. To maximize its scenic location, the building was oriented so that during the equinox, the setting sun aligns perfectly with the cross on the glass altar. The crypt is situated at ground level, while the chapel occupies the space above.
7. Mausoleum of Poets, Iran
Located in Tabriz, Iran, the Mausoleum of Poets is a striking architectural masterpiece that serves as the resting place for poets and other notable individuals. The building features a unique design with interlocking angular arches, blending contemporary and traditional elements. It houses the remains of over 400 poets, mystics, activists, and political figures.
Construction of the Mausoleum of Poets spanned a decade, culminating in its completion in 1982. While the current structure dates back to the 1980s, the site has a long history of housing mausoleums, many of which were destroyed by floods and earthquakes over the centuries. Historical records from the 14th century mention a mausoleum on this land, though the exact duration of its use as a burial ground remains unclear.
6. St. Andrews Cathedral, Scotland
Ruined churches and their adjacent cemeteries often exude a unique charm, and St. Andrews Cathedral in Scotland is a prime example. Perched on the coast overlooking the North Sea, the cathedral and its nearby graveyard offer stunning views. Despite being in ruins, the remnants of this grand structure stand tall and imposing over the weathered gravestones.
Construction of the cathedral began around 1160, but it faced numerous delays. A storm in 1272 caused significant damage, and progress was further hindered by the First War of Scottish Independence. The cathedral was finally completed in 1318 and consecrated in the presence of King Robert the Bruce. Once the largest church in Scotland and the headquarters of the Catholic Church, it was abandoned in 1561 due to the rise of Protestantism.
5. Chichicastenango Cemetery, Guatemala
While some cultures favor somber graveyards, others embrace vibrant expressions of mourning. In Chichicastenango, Guatemala, the cemetery is a riot of color, with brightly painted crosses and mausoleums. This vivid display is not merely decorative—though undeniably striking—but rooted in the indigenous Maya traditions of honoring the deceased.
Colors hold specific meanings: white symbolizes purity, turquoise stands for protection, and yellow represents the sun. However, some families choose to personalize tombs by painting them in the favorite color of their departed loved ones. To maintain the vibrant appearance of the graves, they are cleaned and repainted annually during the Day of the Dead celebrations in early November.
4. Neptune Memorial Reef, USA
Neptune Memorial Reef offers a unique underwater burial site, allowing the deceased to rest among marine life. Situated off the coast of Florida, it provides a meaningful location for families wishing to scatter ashes at sea while maintaining a dedicated memorial site. As described on the reef’s website, the process involves mixing cremated remains with an eco-friendly concrete material, which is then shaped into artistic structures and adorned with engraved copper plaques.
The reef accommodates the remains of multiple individuals, including pets, in a single placement. Visitors can access the site by boat or scuba dive to explore the reef up close. Divers can admire the intricate stone sculptures and the diverse marine life thriving around them. Once fully developed, the reef will span 16 acres (6.5 hectares) and provide space for the remains of 250,000 people.
3. City of the Dead, Russia
Tucked away in a valley within the Caucasus Mountains, the small Russian village of Dargavs is home to the hauntingly beautiful City of the Dead. This ancient cemetery features 99 above-ground crypts, surrounded by the stunning, rugged mountain landscape. While the site offers a picturesque resting place, the origins of these crypts remain shrouded in mystery.
Some believe the crypts date back to the 13th century, possibly linked to the Mongol-Tatar invasion, where they were used to manage the increased number of war casualties. Another theory suggests they were constructed by the Sarmatians, who practiced above-ground burials as a sign of respect for the land. During the 17th and 18th centuries, plague outbreaks led to a surge in burials here, with evidence indicating that infected individuals were quarantined in the crypts as they awaited their fate.
2. Myra Necropolis, Turkey
The Myra Necropolis is a remarkable Lycian burial site dating back to the 4th century BC, carved into the vertical cliffs. This ancient cemetery is divided into two sections: the ocean necropolis and the river necropolis. Though their colors have faded over time, the rock-cut tombs—some resembling houses and others temples—were once vividly painted in a spectrum of hues.
Among the most notable tombs is the “Lion Tomb,” named for its intricate carving of a lion battling a bull. Inside, eleven life-sized stone statues are thought to depict the relatives of the tomb’s owner. Beyond their architectural splendor, the tombs offer breathtaking views of the ruins of Myra below, including the well-preserved semi-circular theater and the Church of St. Nicholas.
1. Makomanai Takino Cemetery, Japan
While Okunoin Cemetery is celebrated as Japan’s largest and most picturesque burial site, nestled within the tranquil Koyasan forest, it’s not the only Japanese cemetery worth visiting. Makomanai Takino Cemetery in Sapporo captivates visitors with its array of striking and monumental statues.
The cemetery’s entrance is flanked by approximately 40 stone replicas of Easter Island’s iconic Moai heads. Additionally, the site features a full-scale replica of Stonehenge. However, the most awe-inspiring feature is the colossal Buddha statue, nestled within a hollowed hill. Rising 44 feet (1 meters) tall, the Buddha’s head emerges from the hilltop. Visitors can fully appreciate the statue by walking through a tunnel beneath the hill, where the Buddha is dramatically framed by a circular opening to the sky.
