Monumental Cemetery in Milan Italy
Shortly after the...:
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Monumental Cemetery in Milan Italy
Shortly after the Italian independence in 1861 the idea was launched to consolidate the many small cemeteries in Milan, resulting in the creation of two large cemeteries: the Cimitero Monumentale for the wealthy and the Cimitero Maggiore for the ‘common’ people.
Between 1863 and 1866 the Cimitero Monumentale was laid out by Carlo Maciachini on a 18 hectare large domain, later expanded to 25 hectare (62 acres).
Mausoleums at the
Cimitero Monumentale
A wide central lane lined with trees leads from the Famedio (hall of fame) along the Ossario (ossuary) to the Crematorio (crematory) at the other end. To the left and right are monumental tombs, often designed by famous sculptors and architects. The names on the tombs read like a who is who of Milan, with illustrious names such as Pirelli, Campari and Toscanini.
Two small areas to the left and right of the Famedio are reserved for non-Catholics and Jewish.
Well worth a visit for both for its historic and artistic value. The prodigal richness of the chapels and funeral monuments makes the cemetery an extravagant “open-air museum of contemporary Italian statuary and architecture” (Mezzanotte)
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