August 28, 2014 12:06 pm
There’s something inherently beautiful about a cemetery. It’s not just the peace and quiet, which is of course an inevitable feature of every cemetery or graveyard, but the tangible demonstration of human emotion shown by the care taken by those living for the memories of their beloved dead. This can be seen through the wording of a grave, through the flowers carefully laid alongside it, and through the regular cleaning of the stone with as much care as would be taken for a feature of a living household. There is also something innately civilised about caring for the dead and paying homage to the past, not least because it can make us more appreciative of our life and the lives of others still around us.
While I do like an English graveyard, headstones tilting in all directions and covered in moss and decay, my favourite type of cemetery is a Spanish cemetery, whose tranquil atmosphere is more than embellished by the regular presence of sunshine filtering through the large dark cypress trees which are a regular inhabitant of such places. But I also love how seriously Spanish society takes its dead, and whenever I take a stroll in Marbella’s cemetery in Southern Spain, I am always touched by the number of locals visiting their family graves, with rubber gloves and cleaning products to hand, ensuring that all looks clean and well maintained. It’s a bit like the beginning scene from Pedro Almodovar’s brilliant film, Volver, when a visit to the family grave is both a family tradition and a time to gather and reminisce.
Of course it will come as no surprise to regular readers of this blog that my overriding reasons for visiting a Spanish cemetery are artistic ones, and Marbella’s has more than once inspired me to take many a photograph of the scene. For in the sheer volume of marble fronted graves, both within private family mausoleums and piled up on top of one another like bookshelves in neat rows, these graves make for an excellent photographic subject, not least because of the variety and dedications, flowers, family memorabilia and photos. And on top of all of that, the sunshine is always on hand to provide warmth to the photographs and plenty of contrast between light and shade.
So here are the photos I took on my recent stroll around Marbella’s cemetery. Hopefully like me you will see the inherent beauty of the place, which far from being morbid, is a place of tranquillity, devotion and hope.
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Posted by delacybrown
Categories: Photography
Tags: Cemetery, Flowers, Photography, Spain, Travel
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When I moved to Louisiana, it was a bit of a shock to see the cemeteries. I grew up in west texas, so headstones were the norm. South Korea also has an interesting way of commemorating the dead with small mausoleums in building to save space in graveyards. There’s a cubby hole with an urn and pictures or mementos to put in. There’s currently a trend to turn ashes into beads, as well, not unlike the diamonds being offered here in the states.
Your pictures are quite lovely, btw. Very thoughtful and somewhat melancholy, but not truly sad. Well done.
By Brittni S Hill on September 2, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Thank you! There is definitely a melancholy air but yes, you’re right, not truly sad – more about the richness and wealth of memories, and how special they are to current and future generations who come back to pay homage to them.
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:35 pm
I somehow feel warmth in your photos. Not fear or pain.
By Toper | 1 Million Free Pictures on September 3, 2014 at 2:15 am
Thank you – it’s precisely how I felt walking around that place. The warmth of human emotion totally shone through. It was less about the sadness.
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:34 pm
You captured it with your photos.
By Toper | 1 Million Free Pictures on September 4, 2014 at 1:59 am
woow…maybe i need testing place
By hermanadrian71 on September 3, 2014 at 5:09 am
We have those apartment type cemeteries here in the Philippines as well. Surely a heritage from Spanish colonization
By photowalk iriga city on September 3, 2014 at 5:22 am
Oh really? That surely must be Spanish heritage kicking in – how interesting. Would love to see them!
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:33 pm
You have absolutely great shots here!!! I hope to see more of ’em 🙂
By sheehantiffany on September 3, 2014 at 8:31 am
Thank you! Definitely hope you will come back to see more! 🙂
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Creepy ):
By withwayde on September 3, 2014 at 9:59 am
Far from it I can assure you
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:31 pm
Reblogged this on mizzyxclusive.
By mizzyxclusive on September 3, 2014 at 10:37 am
Reblogged this on Boomers Not Bloomers and commented:
This story is beautifully written. Thank you.
By Boomers Not Blommers on September 3, 2014 at 11:57 am
Thank you! And for the reblog!
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:28 pm
Beautiful!
We visited the above ground crypts in New Orleans. They were super cool.
By susielindau on September 3, 2014 at 1:43 pm
Reblogged this on mohamed0idris.
By mohamed0idris on September 3, 2014 at 4:01 pm
Beautiful place. Great photos.
By The Exhibitionologist on September 3, 2014 at 6:22 pm
The dead elegant, flamboyant, ready for the
day, in colors we pray…..just a little something I came
up with…I enjoyed the pictures, beautiful:)
By angelicdarkness70 on September 3, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Gosh did my post inspire that? It’s a beautiful little something!
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Yes, just the simple things can inspire me,
and thank you:)
By angelicdarkness70 on September 3, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Being used to English cemetaries myself, these pictures are stunning. I assumed all cems were old, grey stone and slanting headstones everywhere so this is a sight indeed!
By fatfemmefabulous on September 3, 2014 at 7:54 pm
Thank you! It’s definitely a very different feel from English cementaries …although I love them both!
By delacybrown on September 3, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Interesting read Thankyou
By traciislanddweller on September 4, 2014 at 9:16 am
Reblogged this on mapsworldwide blog.
By joyofmaps on September 4, 2014 at 10:41 am
Your pic’s of the Andalucian cemeteries are really beautiful and I love this beautiful, quiet places, too! They colors are so bright and the places are so shiny ! It’s a very good example how the Spanish people live with their dead beloved friends and family and a very healthy way to do this!
Thx for this beautiful pic’s!
By biba55 on September 5, 2014 at 10:38 am
This is beautifully written, great post
By Povonte on October 1, 2014 at 9:56 am
Thank you! 🙂 🙂
By delacybrown on October 1, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Great photos! I like visiting cemeteries too. I find them peaceful and eerily beautiful.
By Travelling Omnomnivore on November 22, 2014 at 4:19 pm
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