Talking Gravestones of Amrum, Historical tombstones at St. Clemens Church cemetery in Nebel, Germany.
The cemetery at St. Clemens Church in Nebel holds 152 sandstone gravestones with detailed inscriptions carved into their surfaces. Each stone bears engraved text on both front and back, documenting information about the deceased, their occupations, and their place in society.
These gravestones were created between 1678 and 1858, when Amrum sailors participated in Dutch and English whaling expeditions. This period shaped the island's fortunes and turned these stones into records of an economically transformative time.
The inscriptions tell of seafaring traditions and family ties, with stories about whalers and their lives on the island. The way these names and occupations are carved shows who held respect in the community and how important work at sea was.
The gravestones are sturdy and easy for visitors to view, arranged in rows that are simple to walk through at a relaxed pace. It helps to bring time to read the carved texts, which are visible without special equipment.
The cost to engrave letters was three gold marks each, meaning only wealthy whalers could afford elaborate inscriptions. This made the graveyard a record of economic differences among the island's families.
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