The Alyscamps, Roman necropolis in Arles, France.
The Alyscamps is a Roman necropolis in Arles that stretches along an ancient road with hundreds of stone sarcophagi positioned between tall cypress trees. The tombs are arranged in rows and layers, creating a linear pathway that extends toward a medieval priory at its end.
The necropolis began serving as a burial ground in the 2nd century and remained a favored burial site through the Middle Ages. Over centuries, thousands of graves were added to the site, making it one of the largest cemeteries in the western Roman world.
The site captured the attention of 19th-century painters who were drawn to the solemn beauty created by rows of tombs lined with tall cypress trees. Their artworks documented how visitors experienced the mixture of decay, nature, and orderly burial in one atmospheric setting.
The site is walkable with paths running between the rows of graves, and most visitors spend about an hour to an hour and a half exploring the full length. The ground is mostly level, but there are uneven surfaces among the stone structures, so wear shoes with good support.
Many of the deceased were brought from distant parts of the Roman Empire by river boat, as burial here was considered a mark of high status and honor. This practice created a thriving transport business for local boatmen that lasted for centuries.
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