Friday, August 21, 2009

Petersfriedhof, Salzburg



Up against Monchsberg (a mountain in Salzburg, Austria) is Petersfriedhof, or Saint Peter's Cemetery. It is the earliest Christian graveyard in Salzburg, dating back to 1627. It is commonly recognized as the hiding spot of the Von Trapp family in
The Sound of Music. The cemetery is enclosed by a wrought iron fence and many of the grave markers are iron as well. The mountainside holds its catacombs.

catacombs


My impression of Petersfriedhof was far different than that of any other cemetery I've seen. Unlike Recoleta in Buenos Aires, or any I've seen thus far in the States, this cemetery is light and airy. There are no headstones or any heavy ornamentation. The cemetery is lush with its flowers, ferns, and wild strawberries growing on and in-between the graves. It was reminiscent of a memorial garden. Instead of bestowing a somber attitude, Petersfriedhof made me feel fresh and lively.





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