When we travel to city like Barcelona, a cemetery is probably not on the top of our list of the places we most desire to have a walk in. There are cemeteries in the world that have gained some fame and interest from travelers because of famous people buried in them, the best examples are the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris (this is where Marie Curie, Voltaire or Jim Morrison are buried among others) or La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires which most people visit to see the tomb of Eva Perón, better known as Evita.
However, there are many other cemeteries which are just like an open-air museum and it is really worth dedicating some time to them. We present the Poblenou Cemetery in Barcelona, which was opened in the 18th century. The cemetery hasn’t had an “easy life”, as it was destroyed by Napoleon’s army and existed in the ignorance of the city, especially since the opening of the Montjuïc Cemetery. Recently things start to change and in 2004 a route of cemeteries was created, which include this hidden gem of the city as well.
The actual structure of the Poblenou Cemetery was designed by Ginesi, an Italian architect in the 1800s, and the cemetery of Pisa served as model for the construction. The cemetery has two main parts, and the section closer to the entrance is a complex with thousands of burial niches.
If we head to the part in the back of the Poblenou Cemetery, we will find individual crypts and mausolea where many of the most important members of the Catalan bourgeoisie are buried. The long list of people (whose presence was important in the evolution of the city and are buried here) includes among others the manufacturer family Bonaplata, Narcís Monturiol the famous engineer, the politician Valentí Almirall or the novelist Narcís Oller.
Where the ordinary niches are found, several heroes of the common people in Barcelona are buried. Some of them lost their lives helping others, when the city faced major epidemics, while others fought and died for the freedom of the city. The most famous of these characters is Francesc Canals Ambrós, “el Santet” (which means little saint). This boy coming from a poor family was well known for his goodwill and grace during his life, and became a religiously adored person, when he died so young, being only 22. His tomb is still frequently visited by locals who leave him presents to express their devotion.
At the entrance of the Poblenou Cemetery we can take a map with us, which shows us the most important tombs, individual monuments and crypts. The walk takes more or less an hour, and we will see that many of these crypts are really a small piece of art, some of them not even that small.
The itinerary finishes at a peculiar statue called “The Kiss of Death” created by Jaume Barba, which we found impressive. A winged skeleton kisses a young person’s face, a really powerful depiction of death.
We find that the Cemetery of Poblenou deserves an hour in our trip to Barcelona. It is really close to the beach, so after the cultural experience we can head out to the beach to enjoy the sunshine.
Have you visited any interesting cemeteries in your travels? Do you find walking in cemeteries as an interesting trip to the past or you find it depressing?
Useful tools to organize your trip
– ZZZ… BOOK YOUR HOTEL IN BARCELONA – find the best hotel for you.
– WOW… EXCURSIONS, CHEAP GUIDED TOURS
– BRUM BRUM… RENT A CHEAP CAR FOR YOUR TRIP TO BARCELONA – find the best car for you.
I love cemeteries and always try and visit them when travelling. They tell a wonderful history of a place and if you understand the language some of the headstones are quite entertaining.
I agree with you Michele, they are important part of the history of the place, I always try to visit them, too.
Yeah, I went to visit famous Paris cemetery. And one here in Croatia – ’cause it has a beautiful garden architecture
However, the older I get, the less I like any cemetery. Definitely not on my list of places to visit when I travel (a chicken, I know!). Although, this one looks really nice. But then again, no thanks 🙂
I understand you, my brother also hates going to cemeteries, probably for the same reason. I understand that people can feel themselves uncomfortable in them. Thanks for your comment!
For a cemetery, it’s actually quite beautiful. Seems like it’d be an interesting cultural and historical excursion!
Yes Samantha, it is like an open air museum, definitely a place to visit to learn about the history of Barcelona.
I enjoy visiting cemeteries when I travel because they’re a part of history. Some are very beautiful, like you said, an open air museum. We went on a really fascinating cemetery tour in New Orleans that I would recommend to anyone.
Thanks very much for your comment! I agree with you, cemeteries are part of the local history and some of them are really fascinating! We haven’t been to New Orleans yet, but when we go, we will definitely check out the cemetery there!
What a beautiful cemetery! Barcelona has so much to offer, I’ve definitely looked beyond this each time I’ve been.
But you’ve taken some incredible photos here (weather certainly behaved for you), and I’ll be looking it up the next time I visit Gaudi-town.
Thanks Jonny for your comment! We try to take people to those spots in Barcelona which are missed by most people! I agree with you that Barcelona has so much to offer, you need several visits to get to know it well.
What a beautiful cemetery… it looks so peaceful. When I tell people that I like to walk around cemeteries it sounds creepy and macabre – but it’s really just because I like the sculptures and the quiet tranquil atmosphere.
Some people like walking in the cemeteries (I do), but I understand that others might freak out. I am with you, I like contemplating the beautiful sculptures and I enjoy the tranquility there.
I have to admit that cemeteries are not the first places I consider visiting whenever exploring a new location. But after reading this post, you can certainly appreciate just how archaic and beautiful they can be.
I am not convinced I will change my opinion on visiting cemeteries but I can also appreciate that everyone is different and we all have varying views on this type of thing.
A really great post and pictures you have included!
Thanks so much Chris! I completely agree with you that it depends much on the person, and people feel simply differently in cemeteries. I think it is a great way to know an important side of the history in a place, but I also understand that many people feel strange in them.
I saw a really cool one in New Orleans, USA. But other than that, I have not really sought them out. So much history in them, great post!
You are not the first one to mention this cemetery in New Orleans, I definitely have to check it out when we get to visit that city one day.
Cemeteries also freak me out a little – watch too many horror movies. BUt i do find them fascinating – i like to find the oldest grave + the head stops are always so interesting!
Thanks Sam for the comment! Yeah, the memories of too many horror movies are probably a good reason to avoid cemeteries:)
I love visiting cemeteries…weird? I even go to the ones by home as they can make great photographs!
I don’t find it weird either, and I fully agree with you that they are great subjects for photography!
That looks amazing!
i find cemeteries interesting, especially old stately ones like this and I have been to quite a few around the world. I have little interest visiting the majority of ones in Australia though. They do not have the same character and I do find them depressing – perhaps because grassy fields with graves is what I associate with people I love dying and being buried.
Thanks Sharon! I usually enjoy wandering around (I might be strange) both in historical cemeteries like this and also small not so interesting ones in villages like my grandma’s. I like the calm atmosphere, and you can breath in history.
I LOVE visiting graveyards, this one actually reminded me of the one at Recoleta, Buenos Aires. I find it so interesting that people pay double the price of a house in order to be buried in a premium spot.
Yeah, you might be right that it resembles the La Recoleta, although that one is much more packed. And spending a fortune on premium spots, just as you say, people have to show class even when they are dead:)
Interesting topic, I have never seen everybody writing about cemeteries. Good and interesting reading for sure. And I also have to agree that cemetery is a part of local culture.
We are glad that you liked our post, Kadri and also that you found it as an original topic to write about.
What a great tour, I enjoy cemetery’s and never visited this one in Barcelona, nice!
Thanks Noel for your comment! I am glad you enjoyed the tour!
I love this! I think cemeteries can be so hauntingly beautiful. I included a slideshow of photos I took in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in my post: http://thecaffeinateddaytripper.com/2013/11/22/bavaria-back-roads-burials-and-beer-did-we-mention-schnitzel/ because I couldn’t believe how gorgeous the statues were… but these, WOW! I wish I could see this for myself. Particularly “The Kiss of Death”! Stunning.
Thanks Erin! Next time you come to Barcelona, you won’t miss this beautiful cemetery!
This looks beautiful, and does share some similarities with La Recoleta in Buenos Aires. I enjoy visiting cemeteries; oftentimes they can be more peaceful than parks and other public spaces.
I also felt this similarity to La Recoleta. I agree with you that the tranquility in cemeteries can really be appreciated!
Oh very cool adventure through a cemetery! I’ve been to Barcelona but didn’t know about this place. I know I’ll go back again, so it’s on my travel bookmark list! Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, this cemetery is quite unknown even amongst people who have lived here for a long time! It’s close to the city center and the beach, it is not a huge effort to include it in your itinerary around Barcelona.
I also like visiting cemeteries, there is usually a very peculiar atmosphere and it’s so quiet. I’ve visited Pere Lachaise in Paris which is beautiful but the most impressive I’ve seen to this day is the Omaha beach American cemetery in Normandy. It’s just next to the see and it’s really striking to realize how many people died during the debarkment in France. I’ve visited it with my grandfather who remembers the war as a child and was very moved by that place. You could feel he was so grateful for all those people who gave their lives to free our countries. I think I’ll never forget that moment, it was powerful stuff.
Thanks for sharing your emotional story with us! I can imagine that a moment like this affected you, we just can’t really understand how living a war and such waste of human life is, close to our homes. I hope I can visit that cemetery in Normandy one day, I read a lot about D-Day and the whole liberation of Europe, I would also feel special in that cemetery for sure.
That looks like a beautiful cemetery
Wonderful post! I visited a couple cemeteries while I was in France…and morbid or not, they definitely are very beautiful and interesting places! That Kiss of Death is really something, though. Wow.
Thanks for your lovely comment! I genuinely believe that in cemeteries you can many times learn more about the local history and culture than anywhere else.