Necropolis
Recoleta Cemetery.
After orientation, I went to my new favorite place with my friend Steven– the cemetery. For some reason, cemeteries make me feel very comfortable. I enjoy looking at different styles of architecture, both the well maintained and the dilapidated tombs, busts and engravings of inhabitants, and the inscriptions about the person’s life. I don’t really associate cemeteries with death, but with art. And that is why Recoleta is amazing. The cemeteries of Massachusetts and New Orleans have nothing on Recoleta. All the mausoleums are unique, they have busts, ornamentation, and glass windows so you can see the altars and coffins inside. The insides are decorated with crosses, plastic flowers, and sometimes pictures. Beneath these decorations lies a coffin or two. Most mausoleums have a stairway leading down to a room filled with the coffins of the more distantly deceased. Cemeteries have always fascinated me, more so since taking a class about representations of death in art. I notice patterns and common motifs. One common mausoleum style was Egyptian figures and pillars. A motif I noticed above many of the doors was of an hourglass with wings, referencing Father Time and death.
Another reason this cemetery has become my favorite place is because of the abundance of cute, friendly cats. My two favorite things in one place! Que suerte!
All these photos were taken by Steven. He has quite an eye!
Un besito!
