An inner Travel: the Cemetery of Staglieno in Genoa

Cemeteries, in particular monumental ones, has always fascinated me, of that kind of fascination which is difficult to explain. I would say it is a mix of sense of sacred and beauty, with a bit of respect and fear.
I believe that cemeteries represent the soul and history of the city thanks their art.
Yes, because cemeteries are full of art, full of great masterpieces made by local and international artists, the most of the time before they become famous, like the Italian Naturalist Sculptor Giulio Monteverde.

For sure my fashination is also linked to the “romantic” suggestion of the silent landscape and the presence monuments and architectures, which are connected very tightly to each other and creates at the same time a sacred and mystic atmosphere.

Cementery of Staglieno: nature and architecture

It is because this hidden and romantic charm that every time I visit a city, I visit its cemetery as well. I do this also to know better about the history of the city and its people. At this regard, I recommend you to read my article about The Poblenou Cemetery which explain better the connection between cemeteries and the history of the city (in this case Barcelona).

A cemetery which I visited recently and touched me deeply, is the Cemetery of Staglieno in Genova, italy.
I'm not the only person who was truly impressed by the beauty of such a cemetery, before me, Friedrich Nietzsche, Guy de Maupassant, Mark Twain, Evelyn Waugh, the Russian painter Ilja Repin, the Empress of Austria Elisabeth (the famous Sisi) and the Emperors of Brazil and Thailand have wandered among the large monumental galleries and along the avenues of the cemetery.

One of the galleires of the Cemetery of Staglieno

The cemetery started its construction in the mid-19th century and progressed until after the First World War. In such a period of time, a lot of artistic movements succeeded and, therefore, are present in Staglieno cemetery like Neoclassicism, Realism, Symbolism, the Art Nouveau, etc. The cemetery has been an appeal for many famous Italian artists, e.g. Leonardo Bistolfi (who has left some very important works in the cemetery of Staglieno like the tombs Bauer and Orsini), Santo Varni, Pietro Canonica, Edoardo Rubino, Anselmo Orsi.

Orsini's Tomb - Leonardo Bistolfi

Wandering around the cemetery in a cloudy afternoon would probably give the best perspective of the cemetery. Getting lost in its galleries and going an up down on the hills will make you feel more silent and thoughtful; looking at these beautiful masterpeaces will give you a sense of beauty, sorrow and somehow abandon all mixed together that will not leave you indifferent.

Sculptor: Santo Varni

I have always been fascinating to the artistic representation of death, for some artists could be something horrible and scary, for others something romantic like a never ending sleep.
That’s undoubtedly the interpretation I like the most, and the one which is predominant in Staglieno.

Sculptor: Anselmo Orsi

Sorrow and abandon are the the other protagonists of the monumental representation of death. Looking at their face, expression and acts will make you think deeply inside you, maybe open new doubts or close old ones with some news certainties.

I believe that visiting such a monumental cemetery will make you for sure asking some questions to yourself, and maybe find the silence to answer to them, or maybe not. Perhaps, it will just give you the desire of wandering around the trees and hills in search of some silence and peace.

If you are interestd in seeing more picture of the Cemetery of Staglieno check this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGcYgMa5UE4&t=85s