WDEC 2025 in Rijeka

As part of WDEC 2025 in Rijeka, the photo exhibition “Mayors of Rijeka and Sušak” and guided tours explored the legacy of 15 former city leaders buried at Kozala and Trsat cemeteries.

About the event

On Monday, May 26, 2025, at 18:00, Kozala Cemetery hosted the opening of the photo exhibition “The City and Mayors of Rijeka and Sušak” by Petar Fabijan, marking the start of this year’s Week of Discovering European Cemeteries in Rijeka. The exhibition showcases the grave sites of 15 mayors and chiefs of Rijeka and Sušak buried in the Kozala and Trsat cemeteries.

The event featured a musical performance by students from the Ivan Matetić Ronjgov Music School and was officially opened by Nives Torbarina, Director of KD Kozala d.o.o., and Zvonimir Bačić, Head of Technical Affairs at KD Kozala d.o.o. Attendees then joined an educational cemetery walk led by art historian Daina Glavočić and Professor of Fine Arts Theodor de Canziani.

The program continued at Trsat Cemetery on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 18:00.

Visitors can also explore the featured gravesites independently using the ARtour mobile app or by downloading the PDF brochure available at the following links:

• English brochure
• Croatian brochure

Highlights from Kozala Cemetery

Highlights from Trsat Cemetery

WDEC 2025 in Barcelona

Barcelona celebrates this year's WDEC with an intimate concert at Montjuïc Cemetery, alongside a collection of stories that hold special significance in European history.

Stories of Resistance and Remembrance

The Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025 commemorates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, focusing on 80 stories that brought people together and helped build just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.

In this context, Cementiris de Barcelona has prepared a booklet featuring the stories of four remarkable individuals buried in the city’s cemeteries — Lluís Companys, Concepció Badia, Joaquim Amat, and Enric Casals. Their lives, marked by resistance, artistry, and commitment, offer a powerful lens through which to reflect on the impact of war and the enduring importance of memory. The booklet also highlights a memorial dedicated to Holocaust victims, located at the Fossar de la Pedrera in Montjuïc Cemetery.

You can access the booklet HERE.

Concert at the Cemetery of Montjuïc

In addition to the booklet, Cementiris de Barcelona invites the public to a deeply symbolic event on June 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM, at the Fossar de la Pedrera in Montjuïc Cemetery. Attendees will experience an intimate violin concert featuring tribute music from contemporary ensembles. The evening will culminate with the lighting of 80 candles, commemorating 80 years of peace since the end of World War II — a gesture of hope and remembrance.

As space is limited for the concert, advance reservation is required. Full details and registration information can be found on the official Cementiris de Barcelona website.

WDEC 2025 in Koprivnica, Croatia

As part of the WDEC 2025, Komunalac LLC Koprivnica has joined the international "Peace Tree Project", which encourages the planting of "trees of peace" in European cemeteries.

About the event

The ASCE "Peace Tree Project" stands out as a symbol of European solidarity and a shared commitment to preserving spaces of memory and peace. The purpose of the project is to plant a "peace tree" in as many different European cemeteries as possible.

On May 29, 2025, a plane tree was planted at the City Cemetery of Koprivnica, as a symbol of life and growth, which over the years will provide shelter, shade, and silence to all who come in peace, memory and respect.

The planting was attended by Dubravka Horvat, a member of the Komunalac Management Board; Tanja Vukušić, Director of the Sector of Green Areas, Cemeteries and Markets; and Robertina Zdjelar, Director of the Finance, Accounting, Controlling and EU Project Sector, who was joined by her colleagues. Together, they symbolically contributed to the message of peace and unity that this tree conveys.

The plane tree was chosen for its symbolism of longevity, strength, and togetherness. Beside the seedling, a plaque was placed bearing the universal message of the project: “Live in peace to rest in peace!” This powerful message reminds us of the importance of peace, tolerance and reconciliation in everyday life, and encourages us to reflect on the values we pass on to future generations.

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025, Komunalac LLC has also created a digital information brochure to mark the occasion. It can be accessed via the link below.

➤ Digital brochure - WDEC 2025

WDEC 2025 in Kifissia

The Municipality of Kifissia invites the public to a special themed guided tour at the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia, organised as part of this year’s Week of Discovering European Cemeteries.

About the event

On June 1, 2025, from 18:00 to 19:30, visitors are welcome to join a thematic guided walk through the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia (Greece).

This special event, titled "Remembrance: Pathways at the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia", will explore the cemetery’s rich historical and artistic value, with particular focus on the notable figures of Kifissia who are laid to rest there, as well as the architecture and sculpture of its funerary monuments.

In a unique effort to connect memory with the community, locals have been invited to share personal stories under the theme: "Kifissia through the Lives Buried Here". These narratives will be shared and written after the walk, preserving the voices of the community and deepening the connection between past and present.

The event is free of charge and open to all who wish to discover the cultural and historical layers of Kifissia through its cemetery.

WDEC 2025 in Faenza

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025, the Cemetery of the Observance in Faenza, Italy, will host two free guided tours on Saturday, May 31.

About the event

The city of Faenza invites visitors to a day of reflection, remembrance, and cultural discovery at the Cemetery of the Observance. On Saturday, May 31st, 2025, two free guided tours will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, offering a unique opportunity to explore the local legacy of resistance and the artistic heritage of one of Faenza’s most historic cemeteries.

➤ 10:30 AM: “Memories of the Faentine Resistance”
In collaboration with ANPI (National Association of Italian Partisans), this guided tour delves into the powerful stories of local resistance fighters during World War II. Participants will walk through history, learning about individuals who played a vital role in the Faentine Resistance movement.

➤ 3:30 PM: “The Cemetery of the Observance: History, Art, Architecture”
In collaboration with the Pro Loco Faenza APS cultural association, this guided tour explores the artistic and architectural significance of the cemetery. Participants will discover exceptional hidden gems - from funerary monuments to unique examples of local craftsmanship and design.

Additional information and reservation

Each tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. Advance reservation is required at info@prolocofaenza.it.
For more information, visit the Instagram page @municipiofaenza or the Facebook page Comune di Faenza.

Highlights from the WDEC 2025 in Krakow

A short overview and some photos from the guided walk that took place on 27 May 2025 at the New Cemetery of Podgorze in Krakow, Poland.

About the event

Almost 50 people attended the guided walk at the New Cemetery of Podgorze in Krakow, organised by the Association PODGORZE.PL as part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025. After a short introduction about ASCE and the idea of WDEC, participants were given a brief history of the cemetery. They then visited ten graves of well-known individuals buried there, including soldiers, scouts, sculptors, and artists.

The guides were members of the Association PODGORZE.PL and invited guests.

More insights about the event are available at https://podgorze.pl/nowy-cmentarz-podgorski-2/

WDEC 2025 in Turin

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025, a variety of interesting events will take place in Turin, Italy. View the complete program for details.

About the event

For WDEC 2025, Turin has organized various events closely aligned with this year's theme, "Garden of 80", including several guided tours.

The highlight is "Green Visit", part of the Festival del Verde, taking place on Sunday, 25 May 2025. Another key moment is the closing event on Friday, 9 June 2025, during which 125 students from the choreographic and theatrical high school will perform at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin to call for a future of PEACE.

Turin is also included in a promotional booklet created by Utilitalia SEFIT in collaboration with other Italian cemeteries, highlighting events and activities planned for WDEC 2025. The complete program of events in Turin can be found HERE.

WDEC 2025 at Italian Cemeteries

Explore the rich program of events taking place at the Italian cemeteries during WDEC 2025 in the dedicated booklet.

About the event

This year, the Week of Discovery of European Cemeteries of the ASCE, which includes the major Italian monumental cemeteries, will take place from May 23 to June 7.

As usual, the Italian cemeteries have created a booklet in which they have gathered the initiatives of the various cities involved.

For those without specific events during the indicated period, it is possible to visit their information pages and check throughout the year for initiatives and cultural activities designed to enhance the experience and understanding of cemetery culture.

The booklet can be viewed HERE. For more information visit the website www.sefit.org.

WDEC 2025 in Florence

The Cemetery agli Allori in Florence invites visitors to explore its historical and cultural significance through two guided tours during the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025.

About the event

During the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025, two special events will take place at the Cemetery agli Allori in Florence, Italy, offering a unique opportunity to explore the historical and cultural significance of this site, which serves as the final resting place for many notable international figures and is a place of memory, art, and reflection.

The first event will take place on Sunday, May 25, in collaboration with ADSI – Associazione Dimore Storiche Italiane, with opening hours from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM. A guided tour will be held at 10:30 AM.

The second event is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, as part of the initiative Appointment in the Garden 2025 (Appuntamento in Giardino 2025). The cemetery will be open from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and a themed guided tour titled "Among the Stones of Memory" will begin at 10:00 AM.

Reservations and additional information

Reservations for each day are required at cimiteroevangelicoallori@gmail.com.

For more information, visit https://www.cimiteroevangelicoallori.it or https://openagenda.com/it/appuntamento-in-giardino-2025/events/tra-le-pietre-della-memoria.

*Photo source: https://www.cimiteroevangelicoallori.it/

WDEC 2025 in Istanbul

The Feriköy Protestant Cemetery, Istanbul’s main international burial ground, will celebrate WDEC 2025 with a special event on May 28, including a guided tour, speeches, and the planting of a “peace tree”.

About the event

To mark WDEC 2025 and highlight the spirit of international understanding and unity that has characterized the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery since its founding in 1859, an olive tree will be planted in front of the chapel on May 28, 2025. Embodying the motto of ASCE’s Peace Tree Project, “Live in peace to rest in peace,” the tree will permanently remind cemetery visitors of the need for empathy and accord to counter aggression and foster just, harmonious societies that bind humanity rather than divide it.

The event will open with a guided tour of the cemetery lead by Feriköy Protestant Cemetery Initiative members Fokke Gerritsen (Netherlands Institute in Turkey) and Brian Johnson (American Research Institute in Turkey). Speeches by Consul General of The Netherlands Arjen Uijterlinde and President of the Governing Board of the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery Sebastiaan Kuipers will follow, after which the tree will be planted. The celebration will conclude with refreshments from one of the oldest bakeries in the Feriköy neighborhood, including its signature Süryani Çörekleri, or “Assyrian Buns.”

About the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery

Founded in 1859, the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery is the principal burial place for Istanbul’s foreign Protestant and otherwise non-Catholic or Orthodox dead. It is managed by a governing board comprised of the consulates-general of Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Switzerland, and the USA. The board is assisted in its administrative task by the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery Initiative, a scholarly working group affiliated with six Turkey-based international research centers, including the American Research Institute in Turkey, the Netherlands Institute in Turkey, the Orient-Institut Istanbul, the Hungarian Cultural Center, the Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, and the British Institute at Ankara.

Additional information

Further details about the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery and its history and administration can be found on its ASCE webpage and on the website of the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery Initiative. Inquiries about the Initiative and its projects can be sent to info@ferikoycemetery.org.

The Slavín National Tomb (Prague, Czech Republic)

Located within the historic Vyšehrad Cemetery in Prague, The Slavín National Tomb is a prominent monument dedicated to the memory of distinguished Czech cultural, literary, and political figures.

About the Slavín National Tomb

Established in 1893 and located within the historic Vyšehrad Cemetery in Prague, Slavín serves as a pantheon that symbolizes national pride and the celebration of Czech identity. Its creation was spearheaded by the society Svatobor, which sought to provide a dignified resting place for individuals who made notable contributions to Czech culture and society.

The tomb's architecture reflects the importance of the figures it houses, combining elements of historicism with a grandeur fitting its role as a national monument. Designed by architect Antonín Wiehl, the tomb features a stately structure adorned with sculptural works that emphasize themes of national pride and heritage.

Within the crypt and on its grounds lie the remains of important figures such as the poet Jan Neruda, composer Bedřich Smetana, and painter Alfons Mucha. Each interment is a tribute to the individual's role in shaping Czech culture and national consciousness.

Over time, Slavín has become not only a resting place but also a symbol of Czech unity and a site of remembrance for the country's historical and cultural legacy. Although ownership of Slavín was transferred to the city of Prague in the 20th century, the society Svatobor remained involved in its upkeep until the early 1970s and resumed its role after the political changes of 1990.

A major restoration took place from 1998 to 2002, preserving the integrity of the tomb and ensuring it remains a fitting tribute to the legacy of Czech national culture. Today, Slavín stands as a testament to the enduring respect and admiration for those who have shaped the cultural identity of the Czech Republic.

Important personalities in the Slavín National Tomb

Within the Slavín National Tomb at Vyšehrad Cemetery, several distinguished figures are interred, each representing significant contributions to Czech culture and history. Here are some of them:

• Alfons Mucha (1860–1939) - a master of the Art Nouveau style, known for his iconic posters and the grand Slav Epic series, which depicted key moments in Slavic history and mythology. His burial in Slavín is a tribute to his role in defining Czech and Slavic visual culture, making him a lasting symbol of national pride. 
• Julius Zeyer (1841–1901) - a poet and novelist deeply inspired by Slavic myths, legends, and romantic ideals. His works played an essential role in the Czech National Revival, helping to shape a sense of Czech literary identity. His place in Slavín honors his contribution to the cultural awakening of the Czech nation.
• Ema Destinnová (1878–1930) - a globally celebrated opera singer, known for her powerful voice and acclaimed performances in Europe and the United States. Her artistic excellence brought international recognition to Czech opera and culture. Her burial in Slavín commemorates her as a figure who elevated Czech performing arts on the world stage.
• Josef Václav Myslbek (1848–1922) - a leading sculptor of the Czech National Revival. Myslbek's works, including the famous statue of Saint Wenceslas in Prague, have become enduring symbols of Czech identity. His burial in Slavín reflects his pivotal role in shaping the public art and cultural memory of the nation.
• Josef Ladislav Píč (1847–1911) - an archaeologist and historian. Píč made significant contributions to the study of Czech prehistory and early Slavic culture. He is known for his work on ancient burial moundsand artifacts, helping to build a historical narrative that connected Czechs to their ancient roots. His inclusion in Slavín recognizes his efforts in deepening the understanding of Czech heritage and identity.

These graves within the Slavín National Tomb commemorate individuals whose artistic, literary, and scientific achievements have had a lasting impact on Czech national consciousness, making Slavín a vital symbol of the country's cultural heritage.

About the Vyšehrad Cemetery

The Vyšehrad Cemetery in Prague, home to the Slavín National Tomb, is renowned for its combination of significant architectural elements and thoughtfully designed landscape, reflecting both its historical importance and its role as a place of reflection and remembrance.

In addition to the Slavín Tomb, the cemetery features numerous ornate gravestones and mausoleums, many of which were designed by notable Czech architects such as Josef Fanta and sculptors like Josef Václav Myslbek. These gravestones range from classical motifs to Art Nouveau influences, highlighting the evolving styles of funerary art throughout Czech history. The cemetery's architecture blends seamlessly with the landscape to create an environment that is both solemn and beautiful, befitting its role as a national pantheon.

The landscape of Vyšehrad Cemetery is an integral part of its character. Situated on a hill overlooking the Vltava River, the cemetery offers expansive views of Prague, creating a setting that is both serene and reflective. The layout is organized into a series of paths and terraces, guiding visitors through a space that balances formality with natural beauty. Trees, shrubs, and carefully tended flower beds enhance the sense of tranquility, providing shade and color throughout the seasons.

The cemetery’s design respects the natural contours of the Vyšehrad hill, creating a harmonious relationship between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. The arrangement of graves, monuments, and walkways encourages contemplation, allowing visitors to explore the history and heritage of the Czech nation as they wander through the space. The preservation of mature trees and native plant species emphasizes a connection to the local environment and the enduring continuity of nature amidst human memorials.

Cemetery address

Soběslavova
128 00 Prague 2 - Vyšehrad
Czech Republic

Website

https://slavin.cz

Basic data

Date of first burial: 1841
Cemetery area: 1 ha
Approximate number of graves: 50

*Photo source: www.commons.wikimedia.org

WDEC 2025 in Oslo

As part of WDEC 2025, the Cemeteries and Burials Agency of Oslo invites you to a cultural event at Alfaset Cemetery commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

About the event

This year’s WDEC theme honors 80 years of peace in Europe, focusing on European cemeteries as memorial sites celebrating peace, inclusion, and justice.

On Monday, May 26, 2025, from 17:00 to 19:30, a special event will take place at Alfaset Cemetery (Nedre Kalbakkvei 99, 1081 Oslo, Norway), with the spotlight on the Occupation Power’s Gravesites in Oslo.

Program

The first part of the event will take place inside the Alfaset Chapel and will consist of three interesting lectures on the history, significance, and personal stories connected to foreign and German war graves in Oslo.

1.) Lecture by Janne Wilberg: The Honorary Cemetery at Ekeberg and the German Burial Machinery. Janne Wilberg is the former City Antiquarian of Oslo and has 15 years of experience and engagement in working with military cultural heritage for the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency.

2.) Lecture by Haakon Vinje: On the Foreign War Graves in Oslo and a Deep Dive into Individual Stories. Haakon Vinje is the head of the War Graves Service in the Ministry of Culture and Equality.

3.) Lecture by Kristian Ilner (Outdoors at the German war cemetery): Stories of Three of the Buried Individuals. Kristian Ilner is a history enthusiast and a lawyer who works as a political advisor in the Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions, responsible for education and competence. He has written five books in total. The story of the German soldiers at Alfaset is his fourth book.

The second part of the event will take place outdoors at the cemetery and will feature a guided tour along with compelling stories about individuals buried in the German war section, offering a deeper, more personal perspective on the historical legacy of these gravesites.

Additional information

If you would like to participate, please send an email to Wenche Elizabeth Madsen Eriksson at wenche.eriksson@gpe.oslo.kommune.no.
For more information visit www.aktuelt.oslo.kommune.no.

Photo credits:

• First photo (War graves at Alfaset Cemetery): Naomi Wilde
• Second photo (Commemorative ceremony at the German war graves): Haakon Vinje

WDEC 2025 in Bologna and the Metropolitan City

Discover the diverse program of events taking place in Bologna metropolitan area during Week of Disocvering European Cemeteries 2025.

In the Bologna metropolitan area, there are 5 cemeteries recognized as "monumental and historic cemeteries of Emilia-Romagna" under Regional Law 21/2022: the Certosa Cemetery of Bologna, the Piratello Cemetery of Imola, the Casaglia Cemetery of Marzabotto, the Medicina Cemetery, and the San Giovanni in Persiceto Cemetery.

During the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, the Città Metropolitana di Bologna (Metropolitan City of Bologna) and Settore Musei Civici Bologna (Bologna Civic Museums Sector), for the second consecutive year, are promoting a coordinated calendar of guided tours and initiatives dedicated to historical, artistic, and naturalistic itineraries in four of these locations.

Bologna

Friday, May 23rd
3:30 PM
Reading Aloud in Certosa
Street names come from the past and the history of our city; they define a web of connections between our lives and those of who came before us. Knowing why these names were chosen, and in which historical moments, leads to a collective awareness of past and ongoing changes, amidst removals, elisions, disavowals, and cancellations: the path we propose in Certosa leads us to rediscover the roots of this collective history.
Organized by the Associazione Amici della Certosa.
Booking required: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Free donation (free for members of Associazione Amici della Certosa)

Friday, May 23rd
4:15 PM
Free in the Sky of Glory
Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli.
To remember the men and women who fought for the values of freedom and democracy and contributed to the birth of the Republic, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Italy's Liberation from Nazi-Fascism.
Guided tour organized by the Museo civico del Risorgimento with Associazione Amici della Certosa.
Booking required: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. A confirmation email of your booking is necessary.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Full price €10 / Reduced for Card Cultura holders €8 (payment preferably with exact change)

Saturday, May 24th
3:00 PM
Really?! Chronicles from the Certosa of Bologna
Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli.
A walk through the porticoes and galleries of the Certosa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Illustrious visits, licit and illicit love stories, murders, political demonstrations, secret meetings. In the past, the cemetery was a much less quiet place than you might think.
Guided tour organized by the Museo civico del Risorgimento with Associazione Amici della Certosa.
Booking required: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. A confirmation email of your booking is necessary.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Full price €10 / Reduced for Card Cultura holders €8 (payment preferably with exact change)

Sunday, May 25th
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Painted Certosa. Discovering Painters and Museums between the 19th and 20th Centuries
Perhaps you don't know that the Monumental Cemetery of Bologna is also a painting gallery! In the early 19th century, monuments were not sculpted, but painted. Bring a pen or pencil; we invite you to discover some works and their creators starting from the historical-artistic Info Point, where you will find a mediator who will help you navigate within the Certosa, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Porticoes of Bologna" project.
Mediation activity organized by MIA - Innovative and Open Museums for the Museo civico del Risorgimento.
Starting point: Historical-artistic Info Point (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Free

Wednesday, May 28th
4:00 PM
All of Bologna
Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli.
It's time for Big History: a tour dedicated to the most famous people of the 19th and 20th centuries who rest in the Cemetery. Politicians, artists, intellectuals, industrialists, philanthropists who absolutely must be known while strolling through the monumental cemetery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guided tour organized by the Museo civico del Risorgimento with Associazione Amici della Certosa.
Booking required: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. A confirmation email of your booking is necessary.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Full price €10 / Reduced for Card Cultura holders €8 (payment preferably with exact change)

Thursday, May 29th
3:30 PM
Where Hate Ends - A Contemporary Reflection on War
If the dead could speak, they would still have many things to tell us. The Certosa welcomes everyone, those who lived in peace and those who were overwhelmed by tragic events. But would the voices of those who suffered a war be enough to warn us? A mournful choir of the buried tries to bring its message of peace to those still on earth who are capable of avoiding armed conflict.
Project by Alberto Alvisi.
Screening organized by Associazione Amici della Certosa - Visual Arts, in collaboration with Museo civico del Risorgimento and Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali.
Booking required: amicidellacertosa@gmail.com.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Free donation / Free for members of Associazione Amici della Certosa

Thursday, May 29th
7:00 PM
101 Things to Know About the Certosa
Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli.
A sunset walk to discover the 101 things you absolutely must know about the monumental cemetery.
Guided tour organized by the Museo civico del Risorgimento with Associazione Amici della Certosa.
Booking required: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. A confirmation email of your booking is necessary.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Full price €10 / Reduced for Card Cultura holders €8 (payment preferably with exact change)

Thursday, May 29th, 9:00 PM / Saturday, May 31st, 3:00 PM
Secret Certosa
Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli.
A guided tour to walk in the silence of the cemetery, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hidden rooms, little-explored cloisters, splendid works of art scarcely visible to the distracted visitor. The cemetery's rooms and its monuments tell of forbidden loves, suspicious deaths, and irreproachable lives. A stone book to leaf through.
Guided tour organized by the Museo civico del Risorgimento with Associazione Amici della Certosa.
Booking required: prenotazionicertosa@gmail.com. A confirmation email of your booking is necessary.
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Full price €10 / Reduced for Card Cultura holders €8 (payment preferably with exact change)

Sunday, June 1st
10:30 AM
Forever Elegant in the Gardens of the Certosa
Participants will be accompanied to the photography and drawing exhibition to discover the elegance of details created by the most skilled sculptors: details of past fashions sculpted in marble, captured by the photographic lens, or rendered on paper thanks to the course by artist Mara Guerrini.
Guided tour organized by Associazione Amici della Certosa - Visual Arts, in collaboration with Museo civico del Risorgimento and Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali.
Booking required: amicidellacertosa@gmail.com / 345 2699200 (WhatsApp only).
Meeting point: Main entrance (courtyard of San Girolamo Church), via della Certosa 18.
Admission: Free

Exhibition: Forever Elegant in the Gardens of the Certosa
June 1st - 20th, 2025
Monumental Cemetery of the Certosa of Bologna - Chiostro dell’Ossaia o delle Madonne (Ossuary or Madonna Cloister)
Visitors to the cemetery are offered a view of the elegance of details sculpted by the most skilled artists, and the poignant beauty of tombs nestled in the cloisters and galleries. Earrings, lace, hairstyles, shoes, buttons, moustaches, details of past fashions sculpted in marble, captured by the photographic lens, are exhibited alongside monuments, porticoes, plants, and views of the Certosa, rendered on paper. Since 2021, the Monumental Cemetery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Porticoes of Bologna" project.
Photography and drawing exhibition organized by Arti Visive and T900 of the Associazione Amici della Certosa, and the course "Disegnare la Certosa con Mara Guerrini" (Drawing the Certosa with Mara Guerrini), in collaboration with the Museo civico del Risorgimento and Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali.
The exhibition is freely accessible during the cemetery's opening hours, open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Medicina

Tuesday, May 27th, 6:00 PM / Saturday, May 31st, 10:30 AM
Paths of Medicinese Memories
Two walks from the Municipal Library to the historic Cemetery, discovering some personalities who contributed to the history of their community. During the walk, the cemetery guide, created thanks to Regional Law 21/2022, will be distributed and presented.
Guided tour organized by the Municipality of Medicina with Area Blu.
Meeting point: Library entrance, via Pillio 1, Medicina.
Admission: Free
Info: serviziculturali@comune.medicina.bo.it / 051 6979209

Imola

Sunday, June 1st
5:00 PM
The Monumental Cemetery of Piratello in Imola: A Journey Through Architecture, Sculptural Works, and Centenary Trees
Guided tour with Elena Scheda.
The Piratello Cemetery of Imola was built 3.5 km from the city center to prevent any epidemiological contagion and began to be used in 1822.
During the visit, the architectural evolution of the last 200 years, the main monuments, sacred furnishings, and epitaphs of illustrious personalities who rest here will be illustrated, including, among others, Andrea Costa, many partisans, Giuseppe Scarabelli, Giovanni Codronchi Argeli, Eugenia Codronchi Argeli (Sphinx), Luigi Orsini, Anacleto Margotti, and Francesco Alberghetti. Attention will also be paid to the cemetery's arboreal heritage, composed of about 500 specimens including magnolias and centuries-old cedars of Lebanon.
Guided tour organized by the Municipality of Imola and Area Blu.
Booking required
Meeting point: Entrance of the Piratello Sanctuary of Imola, via Emilia 27, Imola.
Admission: Free
Info: dott.elenascheda@gmail.com / 347 7425404 (WhatsApp only)

San Giovanni in Persiceto

Sunday, June 1st
10:00 AM
The Immortality of Memory in San Giovanni in Persiceto
The guided tour of the city's Monumental Cemetery intertwines memory, art, and symbolism to remember the protagonists of the Liberation from Nazi-Fascism. Individual tombs and collective monuments will be the starting point for retracing a crucial part of our history.
Guided tour organized by the Municipality of San Giovanni in Persiceto.
Meeting point: Entrance of the Monumental Cemetery, Circonvallazione Vittorio Veneto, San Giovanni in Persiceto.
Admission: Full price €12 / Reduced €7
Info: cultura.turismo@comunepersiceto.it / 051 6812955

WDEC 2025 in Lisbon

Explore the legacy of the Portuguese press and help children reflect on life and death through captivating activities at Alto de São João Cemetery during WDEC 2025.

Guided Tour: Figures from the Portuguese Press

On 24 May 2025, at 11:00 AM, a themed guided tour will take place at the Alto de São João Cemetery, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of journalist João Chagas - a prominent figure in the Portuguese press and political life of the early 20th century.

The tour will explore the lives and careers of influential journalists buried at this cemetery, tracing the evolution of the Portuguese press through their stories. Visitors will gain insight into the history behind some of the most widely read newspapers of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Diário de Notícias, O Século, and A Capital, and develop a deeper understanding of the social and political impact of the press in Portugal’s recent history.

Workshop: The skeleton responds

On 25 May 2025, at 11:00 AM, a special philosophy workshop for children will take place at the Alto de São João Cemetery. Designed for children aged 7 to 11 (accompanied by an adult), this engaging session invites participants to explore some of life’s biggest questions, starting with one of the hardest - death.

Part of a series of philosophy workshops for children, this "vital workshop on fatal matters" will take as its starting point the questions collected in previous workshops to seek answers in the cemetery. After visiting the cemetery and observing their surroundings, children and adults will be encouraged to reflect, share their thoughts, and discuss the topic together.

Led by Joana Rita Sousa, the workshop will be conducted in Portuguese and offers a thoughtful, age-appropriate introduction to philosophical inquiry.

Additional information

For any questions regarding the guided tour or the workshop, please contact cemiterios.visitas@cm-lisboa.pt.

Brihuega Municipal Cemetery (Brihuega, Spain)

The cemetery lies within the historic Castle of La Peña Bermeja and retains its original 19th-century design.

About the cemetery

The cemetery of Brihuega, dating back to the 19th century, is located within the Castle of La Peña Bermeja, the oldest building in the town. The castle was likely constructed between the 9th and 11th centuries, during the Caliphate era. From the parade ground (Prado de Santa María), the site is accessed through the Puerta del Rastrillo, located next to the apse of the Church of Santa María. This gate leads into the courtyard, now referred to as the upper cemetery.

The exact year of the castle’s construction is unknown. The cemetery was established in 1834, prompted by a cholera epidemic that broke out in August of that year. Its design has since been restored to reflect its original state. Today, the cemetery remains in active use.

Important figures in the cemetery

Among the notable individuals buried there are:

• Don Ramón Casas, a deputy and one of the main driving forces behind Brihuega's celebration of the 2nd Centenary of the Battle of Brihuega and Villaviciosa during the War of the Spanish Succession.
• Don Jesús Ruiz Pastor, a true patron of Brihuega in the 20th century, who was responsible for the construction of one of the town’s most emblematic buildings, la Plaza de Toros, among many other contributions.
• Don Valeriano Herrera, originally from Salamanca but a Brihuega local by marriage, to whom we owe the town’s largest photographic archive.
• Don Juan Elegido Millán, a magician and hypnotist born in Brihuega. A tireless collector of miniatures from around the world. His passion is reflected today in the Miniature Museum housed in the Convent of San José.
• Don Antonio Pareja Serrada, whose remains were recently brought to the Brihuega cemetery from Madrid's Almudena cemetery. Born in Brihuega in 1844, he was a provincial chronicler, historian, and devoted admirer of his hometown.

Cemetery address

Prado de Santa María
19400 Brihuega
Spain

Website

https://turismobrihuega.com/lugar-que-ver/castillo/

Basic data

Date of first burial: 1834
Cemetery area: 3500 m2
Approximate number of graves: 650

WDEC 2025 in Dresden

As part of WDEC 2025, the Inner Neustadt Cemetery in Dresden will host a special evening featuring a screening of the documentary GOING TO ÚSTÍ and an artist’s talk with Pastor Björn Fischer.

About the event

On the evening of May 29, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the Inner Neustadt Cemetery in Dresden will host a special screening of the documentary GOING TO ÚSTÍ, followed by an artist’s talk with Pastor Björn Fischer. The event, organized by Women In Remembrance Culture, invites the public to reflect on forgotten histories, cultural memory, and the role of art in dealing with the past.

The documentary follows Dresden artist Susan Donath, who has been engaged with sepulchral culture for many years. In this short film, she is accompanied by documentary filmmaker Valérie Madoka Naito as she takes care of a German-Czech grave in the Střekov Cemetery in Ústí nad Labem, which she has been tending as part of an art project since 2008.

About the Střekov Cemetery

The Střekov Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic), is divided into two areas: well-tended graves of the Czech population and crypts of the former German population. This division is particularly evident on the western wall of the cemetery. In the 19th century, crypts were built there, most of which were sold or leased to the German population until the beginning of the 20th century. In the wake of political events – the Munich Agreement of 1938 with the incorporation of the Sudeten German territories, the occupation of Bohemia by the German Wehrmacht in 1939 and the Second World War – the German population was expelled after 1945.

For the cemetery, this meant that almost all German graves had not been tended or maintained by their owners since 1945. The cemetery administration took care of the graves on a temporary basis. To this day, the question of what will happen to the graves remains unanswered.

Additional information

Contact person:

• Valérie Madoka Naito (naito@wirc.network)

Websites:

• www.wirc.network
• www.naito.eu
• www.susandonath.com
• www.die-bilder-kommen-zurück.com
• www.neustaedter-friedhoefe.de

Social media:

• @donath_susan 

WDEC 2025 in Bristol

Join us for an engaging and informative walk through the beautiful Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol, UK, as part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2025.

About the event

On Saturday, 24 May 2025, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, a classic guided tour will take place at Arnos Vale Cemetery, exploring its rich history, present role, and future vision.

Participants will discover the cemetery’s story from its founding in 1837 to its current role as a burial ground, heritage site, community space, and green oasis. The tour will highlight fascinating and unusual symbols and graves, introduce some of the cemetery’s most notable residents, and share their stories and lasting impact on the city of Bristol. Visitors will also learn about the site's architectural and landscape heritage, including its stunning listed buildings.

The event is organized by the Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust. For more information, visit their website or contact Janine Marriott at janine.marriott@arnosvale.org.uk.