Thinking about human mortality is never an easy thing to do. But it’s something that arguably we should do, since death is one of the guarantees in life—besides taxes. A cemetery is technically a location that has tombs, graves, and memorials. Besides standard cemeteries, there are fancier ones, known as royal tombs and memorials. Visitors, including travelers, visit cemeteries for a wide array of reasons. In many cultures, people often travel to cemeteries for various reasons. Walls and structures surrounding cemeteries were often constructed in the past due to particular beliefs related to leaving the cemetery. When visiting a cemetery it’s always advisable to leave it exactly as you found it—leaving nothing behind but footprints.
Throughout the world there are numerous famous cemeteries that you should consider visiting. One of the most famous Is Arlington National Cemetery. It’s a cemetery of the United States military, and is located in the Virginia county of Arlington. The cemetery has been burying American servicemen since the Civil War. In May of 2014, Arlington National Cemetery celebrated its silver anniversary. One of the most famous locations at the cemetery is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tomb is at the top of a hill that overlooks Washington, D.C. The tomb contains unknown servicemen from various wars the United States participated in.
In the UK, one famous cemetery is the HIghgate Cemetery, located in Stonehenge. The famous monument was constructed during the Neolithic Age and Bronze Age. It is one of the most famous travel destinations in the world, and is one of the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. In fact, Stonehenge is often considered one o the most valuable archaeological structures on the entire continent of Europe. Another cemetery located at Stonehenge is Normanton Down. It’s actually located .5 miles south of Stonehenge. The cemetery includes more than 50 barrows. Some famous people have been buried in the barrow, making it even more practical to include Stonehenge on your travel itinerary when in England.
In Israel, one of the most renowned cemeteries is the Mount of Olives. It’s a renowned ancient cemetery located in Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge that borders the O ld City of Jerusalem. The cemetery is named for the numerous olive groves that once blanketed the slopes of the mountain. Amazingly the cemetery has functioned as a Jewish cemetery for more than 3,000 years. It contains about 150,000 graves. Many significant events in Jesus’ life occurred on the Mount of Olives. For example, according to the Bible it is the location where he ascended to heaven. Many travelers visit the Mount of Olives. Some are pilgrims who are Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, or Protestant.
When we think of cemeteries, we often think of sad places where beloved friends and relatives are buried. But in fact, they can also be the location of unique and outstanding architecture. This characteristic definitely makes certain cemeteries worth visiting during our travels in a particular region. That’s true regardless of what religion you follow, or even if you don’t follow one at all.