Prazeres Cemetery

Prazeres Cemetery (Portuguese: Cemitério dos Prazeres) is the largest cemetery in Lisbon, Portugal, located in the freguesia (civil parish) of Estrela, in western Lisbon.[1] It is considered to be one of the most beautiful and famous cemeteries in the world.[2][3][4][5][6] It is home to the Mausoleum of the Dukes of Palmela, the largest mausoleum in Europe.[7]

Cemitério dos Prazeres
Details
Established1833
Location
CountryPortugal
Coordinates38.714°N 9.17°W / 38.714; -9.17
TypePublic
Size12 hectares (30 acres)
WebsiteOfficial website

Prazeres Cemetery is the resting place for many famous personalities, including Prime Ministers and Presidents of Portugal, notable literary figures such as author Ramalho Ortigão, famous artists like painters Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro or Roque Gameiro, prominent musical figures like pianist Alexandre Rey Colaço or composer João Domingos Bomtempo, and numerous other notable burials, especially from the Portuguese nobility.[8][9]

History

Prazeres Cemetery was founded in 1833 after the outbreak of cholera in the city, along with Alto de São João Cemetery. It was originally named Cemitério Ocidental de Lisboa (Western Cemetery of Lisbon). The cemetery is exclusively made up of mausoleums.

Since 2001, a portion of the cemetery's auxiliary buildings have been converted into a museum.

Amália Rodrigues, famous as the "Queen of Fado", and Aquilino Ribeiro, famed novelist, were both buried at Prazeres Cemetery prior to their reinterment at the National Pantheon. Famed poet Fernando Pessoa was also buried at Prazeres prior to his reinterment at Jerónimos Monastery.

Notable burials

References

Bibliography
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