Cimitero Monumentale di Staglieno (The Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno), Genoa

The Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno, spanning over a square kilometer, stands as one of Europe’s largest and most renowned cemeteries. Established in the mid-19th century, it was designed following Napoleon’s decree that banned burials within cities. The cemetery’s design blends formal layouts with natural hillside features. At the center of the site is the towering statue of Faith and the notable Pantheon, designed in the style of Rome’s Pantheon, complete with a Doric portico and statues of the biblical prophets Jeremiah and Job. Surrounding this central area are colonnades and garden walkways.

The cemetery is famous for its remarkable collection of realistic sculptures, particularly those depicting mourning figures. These statues, including grieving angels and sorrowful family members, reflect the Genoese tradition of commemorating the dead with artistry. Among the many significant graves are those of Giuseppe Mazzini and Fabrizio de André, two prominent figures in Italian history. The cemetery’s artistic and architectural features have drawn visitors such as Mark Twain and Friedrich Nietzsche, with its sculptural masterpieces even inspiring album covers by the band Joy Division.