Monday 21 May 2012

Vyšehrad cemetery, its statues and grave gallery, Prague

This cemetery is known for its statues and old trees. The graves are close to each other and the twin towers of the Saint Petrus Paulus church in the background makes it special. Several people who were important in the Czech history are buried here but I am not familiar with the names and their achievements. For me two features were unique. First the integration with the bushes, trees and church gave to cemetery a darker feeling, I would not like to walk here after sunset. The second unique element was a grave gallery against the cemetery wall. It was enormous and covered the full length of the wall. The arched ceiling of the outdoor gallery was very beautiful with its paintings. Bright yellow, and orange colours of the gallery are a big contradiction to the darker inner cemetery. The grave stones in the gallery were very big and displayed images of daily life or religion.

Dit kerkhof staat bekend omwille van zijn standbeelden en oude bomen. De graven staan dicht bij elkaar en de torens van de Petrus Paulus kerk in de achtergrond maken het speciaal. Enkele belangrijke mensen uit de Tsjechische geschiedenis liggen hier begraven maar ik ken hun namen of verwezenlijkingen niet. Voor mij waren er twee elementen op dit kerkhof uniek. Ter eerste, de integratie van het kerkhof met struiken, bomen en de kerk, wat het een donkerder gevoel gaf. Na zonsondergang zou ik me hier niet op mijn gemak voelen. Het tweede unieke element is de grafgalerij over de gehele lengte van de kerkhofmuur. De booggewelven van deze buitengalerij zijn beschilderd, de felle gele en oranje kleuren zijn een grote tegenstelling met het donkere inner kerkhof. De zerken, standbeelden en sierstenen in de galerij beelden taferelen van het dagelijkse leven uit of de bijbel.. 
 
Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Vyšehrad cemetery

Previous Prague article: Strange feeling wearing a kippah in Josefov, the Jewish district

Previous Cemetery article: The Old Jewish cemetery in Josefov district, Prague

Return to main page

15 comments:

  1. Die gaanderij is prachtig, Filip ! En de graven met die kerktorens op de achtergrond..., unieke foto's !
    Lie(f)s.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Een prachtige serie om te zien!
    Groetjes,
    Mirthe

    ReplyDelete
  3. Het blijft een mooi weerzien met het prachtige Praag!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fascinating, a riveting ride.
    Greetings, friends.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Splendid impressions! I love your photos! I will use your posts as a guide when visiting Prague next year! Christa

    ReplyDelete
  6. I also like to walk in the cemetery, when I'm abroad. The graves are so different everywhere.
    Your fotos are amazing.
    Hugs
    orvokki

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very fascinating old cemetery. for some reason, I am very drawn to historic cemeteries, and this definitely "fits the bill". great photographs also, and especially like the one with the awesome ceiling. Very nice

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm fascinated by old cemeteries. I love to see the inscriptions and the carving on the stones.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like to check out old cemeteries too, the older the better. They are really fascinating and the atmosphere helps to add a sense of calmness to the whole surrounding.

    ReplyDelete
  10. A very well maintained and kept cemetery - amazing architecture !!!


    aligaga

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heel indrukwekkend!
    Groetjes Cristien.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Some sadness and yet beautiful, especially the third image !

    ReplyDelete
  13. It seems like some of the graves received numerous visits with fresh flowers while others are not so well-kept. I would not wander in here in during the day with no one else here.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Seems like a very peaceful cemetery and a good place where you can walk around during the day.

    ReplyDelete
  15. de begraafplaats kan ik mij nog herinneren. Ook deze fotoserie is heel interessant om terug te zien. Het ziet er nu wel veel verzorgder uit. Groetjes Dietmut

    ReplyDelete

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.