Sunday 2 June 2013

Zagreb Series - Mirogoj Cemetery


Mirogoj, situated on the slopes of the Medvednica mountain, is probably one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. Lime-green cupolas top the wall that surrounds the memorial park. It is not only a burial place on a grand scale but also a beautiful park and sculpture gallery. At the entrance is a plague erected to Hermann Bollé who designed the shape of the cemetery, applying a monumental composition of arcades, pavilions and domes, intermingled with trees and shrubs. From the city centre, a taxi to Mirogoj costs less than 40kn. 

On a Sunday afternoon, the cemetery was a place of peace and tranquillity, with gentle birdsong and the quietness occasional punctured by the gentle sweeping sound of someone cleaning the graves of their loved ones. Most of the black marble slabs were spotlessly clean, as if they had been lovingly polished by angels whilst the occupants were asleep. I was deeply moved by a lot of the sculptures and by the love to which the living have displayed for the ones who had passed away. 
The grand entrance to Mirogoj Cemetery

I will miss you
I will always guard you
Christ on the Cross at an intersection
The faithful still flocked here to pray
Memorial to the fallen 1914-18
I will wait for you
I will look out for you
I've brought a rose for you
I will dance with you
Angels and flowers for a beloved son
The golden strings of Balokovic
I will sing for you
I will comfort you
I will remember you
I will stay with you 
The grave of Franjo Tuđman,
first President of Croatia