There’s something undeniably fascinating about wandering through cemeteries during our travels. Far from being eerie, these spaces hold stories, artistry, and history that often rival the best museums. If you’ve ever marveled at a unique gravesite or felt a pull toward the peaceful beauty of memorials, you may just be a taphophile—a lover of cemeteries and the stories they hold.
Our journeys have taken us to some incredible cemeteries, each with its own unique charm and mysteries. Here are a few of our favorite experiences exploring these timeless resting places.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is a city brimming with vibrant history, and its cemeteries are no exception. While touring St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, we were amazed by the above-ground tombs, a practical response to the city’s low elevation but also a testament to its unique culture.
One highlight was discovering the reserved gravesite of actor Nicolas Cage. Marked by an unusual white pyramid, his tomb stood out against the weathered stone crypts surrounding it. The structure was striking, to say the least, and had us wondering about the thought process behind such a bold design. And more importantly – what’s inside. 😉
Westminster Burial Grounds – Baltimore, MD
On a solo adventure, Crystal explored the Westminster Burial Grounds in Baltimore, home to none other than Edgar Allan Poe. Seeing his gravesite, you could feel his legacy and the timelessness of his stories.
The family plot was equally fascinating, a modest yet powerful tribute to the people who shaped Poe’s life. Walking through the grounds, I couldn’t help but feel connected to the history of Baltimore and the Gothic charm Poe so famously embodied in his works.
Bucharest, Romania Cemeteries
In Romania, we wandered through cemeteries unlike any we’d seen before. The artistry of the crypts was breathtaking, with intricate carvings, vivid colors, and a sense of storytelling that brought each family’s legacy to life. Many of the graves we toured in the Bellu cemetery were dated throughout the 1800’s filled with prime ministers, actors and actresses, journalists, painters and so many more. I found it fascinating how many of the above ground graves were kept under lock and key and had unique symbols on them which made me feel like they were afraid they would rise from the dead (werewolves and vampire legends are very prominent in Romania), but we knew it was more than likely because of grave robbers.
Some of the crypts were open, giving us a closer look at the craftsmanship inside. It was humbling to be surrounded by so much beauty and history. And then there were the cemetery cats—playful, curious, and seemingly as at home as the residents they shared the space with. Spending time with them added an unexpected warmth to the experience, reminding us that even in somber settings, life continues.
For us, cemeteries are more than resting places; they’re chapters of history waiting to be read. Each grave, each monument, and each sculpture tells a story—of love, loss, and the passage of time.
Whether it’s the quirky modernity of a pyramid tomb, the haunting beauty of a literary icon’s resting place, or the ornate artistry of Romanian crypts, cemeteries offer a perspective on life that’s hard to find elsewhere.
If you’ve never thought about exploring cemeteries on your travels, we encourage you to give it a try. You might just discover a hidden gem, a profound moment of reflection, or even a furry friend to guide you along the way.
Are you drawn to cemeteries and memorials during your adventures? You might just be a taphophile like us!