London Highgate Cemetery: The Dead Part Their Secrects

Highgate Cemetery:  London

One of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ historic cemeteries approximately London, Highgate Cemetery was described as the best event of Victorian architecture.

I convey had a fascination amongst rock angles in addition to other tomb sculptures for years in addition to then a view to Highgate was on the transcend of my list.    I was non disappointed.

Highgate is divided into East in addition to West sections.     Visiting the E side required a reservation in addition to a ticket that I booked weeks inwards advance for Halloween, an appropriate day.

How foreign that y'all must convey a reservation in addition to pay to view the sleeping.

Promptly at 2 PM the pocket-size grouping was allowed to operate inwards the chapel inwards the 2 floor rock edifice at the entrance.   We were introduced to Peter in addition to started our adventure.  For the side yesteryear side lx minutes nosotros were entertained, informed in addition to gained a lilliputian insight into Victorian burial practices.   Dating dorsum to 1839 at that topographic point was much to learn.  Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 wonderful majority available inwards the ticket office, “Highgate.  Saved yesteryear its Friends” was a good root of details on the history of the cemetery, the to a greater extent than famous people buried hither in addition to the distinctive architectural styles found.

My finish was to photograph the monuments throughout the cemetery, peculiarly the angles.   But at that topographic point were many other buildings in addition to decorative carvings that were every bit as interesting.   Highgate is a rolling terrain of natural increment of trees in addition to plants that environment the monuments in addition to edge the trails.  This is non the trimmed grass in addition to standardize monument cemetery nosotros detect inwards many American locations.   At get-go glance y'all mean value the many acres are non tended.  Peter explained that invasive plants in addition to trees are beingness replaced amongst other plants that volition non harm the monuments.  

This is a really peaceful place.  Although solely families of the interred in addition to paid tours are permitted to visit, at that topographic point is no feel of sorrow or dread.   The almost noteworthy avenues Pb y'all to the Joshua Tree which is believed to endure 100+ years old.  The impressive Egyptian Avenue leady to the Circle of Lebanon.  You could easily spend all solar daytime inwards this beautiful ‘forest’, strolling in addition to reading the inscriptions on the monuments.

Peter (our guide) pointed out some of the symbolism that the carvings depicted:

Lotus
Pointing angels
Wreaths
Inverted Torch
Broken Columns
Draped Urn

To push clit each monument in addition to laissez passer on the history of the to a greater extent than famous ‘residents’ would acquire some other majority on this 1 of a variety locations.

Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust