Today started wet and drizzly and it basically stayed that way all day. Still, I’m a fan of visiting (older) cemeteries in the rain, particularly old European ones (i.e. they don’t usually have a lot of grass – it’s mostly all stone, including the pathways). The rain always brings out more detail in the stones, although you have to contend with less light sometimes. There’s always a trade-off.

Nature breaking through
Detailed iron doors
Street of mausolea
Old wall niches

This cemetery was hastily established in 1855 because of a(nother) cholera epidemic that had hit Porto hard. By this time the authorities had closed all the private cemeteries except for Lapa and Bonfim, but by 1869 had agreed to allow certain brotherhoods “private” sections within the cemetery. As a result, Porto is unique in having private sections within its public municipal cemeteries. However, as a modern explorer of cemeteries, I didn’t really notice these private sections, or perhaps over the years they have blended into one another.

Holding on
Angel and death
Angel and child
Grief

There were a few nice monuments and statues, but not as many as I would expect from a cemetery of this size. I think it’s perhaps because this is not where the rich wanted to be buried; they put their grand memorials up at Prado do Repouso.

Memorial to fire victims
Bugle call

As I wandered around in the rain I came across a few cats trying to take shelter under trees and overhangs; they seemed pretty tame by most standards, or perhaps the rain kept them from running away like most cats do. Overall this was a nice place to visit, I’m sure it would be more pleasant when the wind and rain was not blowing everywhere!

Hanging out
Do you have food for me human?
Just chillin’

________________________

Monuments: Good. There are a few nice statues of angels and children, plus a few larger monuments. Mostly it’s row after row of mausolea, but they have interesting details.

Ground: Paved walkways make it easy to get around.

Visitors: Mostly ground staff were here, although I did see a couple of mourners at one point.

Notes: None

DETAILS

Cemetery: Cemiterio de Agramonte

Established: 1855

Location: Rua da Meditação, 4150, Porto

Hours: 08:30-17:00 daily (may have altered hours on holidays)