Of Italy’s many monumental cemeteries, Genoa’s grand Staglieno Cemetery just outside the center is one of the most beautiful. Opened in 1851, the cemetery is among the largest in Europe. Its wealth of exquisite statuary makes it an open-air museum as well as one of the most fascinating sights in this historic port city.
The Staglieno Cemetery covers almost half a square mile and is divided into a number of smaller internal cemeteries, including an English cemetery, Protestant cemetery, and Jewish cemetery. A statue representing Faith standing in front of a copy of the Pantheon marks the center, and the most famous tombs belong to Oscar Wilde's wife, the Italian singer-songwriter Fabrizio De Andre, soldiers, and politicians. Sculptors including Leonardo Bistolfi, Augusto Rivalta, and Giulio Monteverde have poignant works decorating tombs inside the cemetery, including renderings of weeping angels, the bereaved, and even a small dog.
The cemetery is one of the most unique attractions in Genoa and its position in the hills outside the city center offers a quiet respite from the bustle of the port. Tours of Genoa’s highlights often include a stop at the cemetery along with attractions like the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Doge’s Palace, the Palazzi dei Rolli, and Old Port (home to the Genoa Aquarium, the largest in Europe).
The cemetery is located in the Staglieno neighborhood in the hills overlooking Genoa and can be reached by a number of city bus lines or by car.
The cemetery is a favorite stop for photographers so if you would like to capture the elegant funerary monuments and statues, the best times of day are in the morning or late afternoon.
In addition to Genoa, a number of other notable monumental cemeteries in Italy feature striking sculpted tombs. Among the most famous are the Monumental Cemetery in Milan, final resting place to Verdi and Toscanini; the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome, where Keats and Shelley are buried; and the Certosa di Bologna Cemetery.
