Monday 25 March 2013

Closely packed Gravestones

I saw this photograph on Pinterest and thought the close proximity of the stones was rather striking. It is the Old Jewish Cemetery in Prague. Is is estimated that, because space was at a premium, the graves are layer some 12 deep, resulting in the lopsided gravestones.

Old Jewish Cemetary in Prague -Created in the 15th century when Jews were forbidden to bury their dead outside their own district. Space was scarce, so bodies were buried on top of each other. Historians estimate that the graves are layered about 12 deep, resulting in lopsided tombstones. Author Franz Kafka enjoyed moments of quiet reflection here; However, his own grave lies in the New Jewish Cemetery, which is half empty as the generation it was built for became victims of Nazi death camps.

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Welcome to the Graveyard Detective

An illustrated look at the World of Graveyards and Cemeteries. There are many Stories behind the Stones that Stand in them. Who knows what we might find?

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