Varaždinsko Groblje (Varaždin Cemetary)

After visiting the cemetery on All Saints Day I wanted to go back and walk around during the day. On Monday (the 3rd) my host parents and I did just that so I could see more of the cemetery and take some pictures.

Here are some pictures from the day and some information about the Cemetery.

Map of the cemetery.

Since this sign was made the cemetery has grown quite a bit. The brown patch of land on the left hand side of the picture is now half filled with graves. The graveyard is constantly expanding.

During the time of Empress Maria Teresa, she forbid the burial of the deceased within the city walls so a new area was set aside, this area became the foundation of today's city cemetery. For over a century the cemetery was like any other: dark and mysterious.

In 1905 Herman Haller, the young superintendant of the city cemetery, proposed the idea of having a garden-shaped cemetery to the city fathers. The idea was considered ridiculous but it was given consent. Burial-places were moved in order to create wide, tree-lined pathways. Haller's idea was to "'hide' luxurious, conspicuous tombs in order to alleviate the impression they give." He wished to "create a pleasant place, which would provide a feeling of serenity and nostalgia." Over 7,000 arborvitae and numerous, birches, maple trees, ash-trees, red beeches, box shrubs, magnolias were planted to create "the green gateway to paradise."

Haller applied a French style of landscaping and transformed the cemetery into a unique park containing many different plant species.

The cemetery was beautifully laid out and it was nice to walk throughout on such a wonderful autumn day. The flower arrangements from All Saints Day were still upon the graves so it added to the grandeur of the garden-cemetery.

Graves lining one of the main paths.

The cemetery reminded me of a maze with its high hedges and winding paths.

On the right are empty graves. This cemetery is very beautiful it is a desirable place to be buried. Many people and families grave shop to secure a good location.

Costs of burial vary more depending on the location of the spot in the cemetery. The older the part of the cemetery the more expensive it becomes.

The company Parkovi maintains the city cemetery. Allot of work goes into keeping it in such a pristine state. Their goal is to "preserve the horticultural idea of the creator of the cemetery Herman Haller." People pay a sort of tax for the maintenance of the cemetery. It takes allot of time and manpower to maintain the cemetery as there are numerous plants over an extensive area. They do a wonderful job maintaining it.

Once the candles have burned out family members come and remove them. There are large bins throughout the park where they can be disposed. Once the flowers have died they will also be thrown out.

In the past there was a large problem with people breaking into the cemetery after hours (the gates are closed at 9:00) and stealing flower arrangements to take home. Nowadays there are video cameras throughout the park to prevent this from happening.

In many places the hedges have grown out and around the headstones. The maintenance workers carefully trim around them, making the graves apart of the garden.

Sun set in the graveyard. It was only 5:00.

At the north entrance to the cemetery there is a mortuary that was built in 1840.

The cross and candles located on the cemetery's main pathway.

A very elaborate and expensive grave located on the outer wall. This is located in one of the older sections of the graveyard.

There are many older graves that are no longer visited, like this one. After a certain period of time where no upkeep is done, Parkovi replaces the headstone but leaves the original grave untouched. It is very expensive to do this.

The World War I memorial. During the war soldiers were buried where they died but afterwards it was recognized that a decent memorial was needed. Haller's idea resulted in the planting of arborvitae in a form of a large rectangle with four entrances. In the centre of the walk intersection, a single lime tree to represent the Slav people and three worlds: "underground, earthly and heavenly." The personal numbers of those soldiers who lost their lives were engraved on small tiles and placed on the grass. Unfortunately, since then the grass has covered them.

In the background of the picture you can see the graves that are apart of the outer wall. They are very large and elaborate and also very old.

The Oršić family Chapel.

Graves along the outer wall. The graves are old but have been updated by the families to keep the appearance up. Several generations are buried within the graves. The older the graves the more names upon them. The deceased are buried one on top of another.

This grave is where the priests are buried. As you can see there are allot that lie here. There is a newer grave set aside for priests once this is full.

After the burial this is what the graves typically look like. Wreaths are laid on a stand like this after the burial ceremony.

There are also small square graves in parts of the cemetery where cremated remains are.

A grave enclosed in a building.

The following pictures are from the older section of the graveyard. Some maintenance has been done to update some of them.

No one knows who is buried in this grave.

This skull and bones is carved into the grave to signify that they don't know who it is.

The oldest graves. No one comes to visit and they are left in their original state.