Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno, 19th century cemetery in Staglieno district, Genoa, Italy
The Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno is a large burial ground filled with hundreds of marble monuments, colonnades, and a replica Pantheon structure spread across a hillside. The layout combines tombs with artistic elements to create a complex landscape of white stone and ornamental buildings.
After Napoleon banned burials within cities, this ground was designed in the mid-1800s as an alternative, with architects Carlo Barabino and Giovanni Battista Resasco leading the planning. It opened in 1851 and quickly became the city's primary burial place.
The cemetery reflects how Genoa honors its deceased through elaborate family monuments that resemble small palaces and chapels. Visitors can observe how local families express their devotion by creating tombs that often span multiple generations and become focal points of personal remembrance.
The grounds are accessible on foot, with marked pathways that help visitors navigate the different areas. It is best to wear comfortable shoes since the terrain is uneven and hilly, and exploring can easily take several hours.
The Appiani family tomb displays elaborate grief sculptures by Demetrio Paernio that became internationally recognized when it appeared on Joy Division's 1980 album cover 'Closer'. The artwork became so well-known that it is now one of the most photographed monuments on the grounds.
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