Achingly Beautiful Cemetery Sculptures (20 photos)

While cemeteries are often only visited after a loved one has passed, they also serve as important places to mourn. One very famous cemetery that is frequently visited for completely different reasons is the Staglieno in Genoa, Italy. Opened in 1851, the cemetery is filled with artistic sculptures that leave us with questions about our own mortality and our relationship with death. Famous historical figures including Friedrich Nietzsche and Mark Twain are said to have been fascinated with the Staglieno, ruminating over life's unanswered questions as they strolled through the hallowed grounds.

In this post, we present to you some of the most famous sculptures that are currently in the Staglieno as well as in other cemeteries around the world. As you look through this set, notice how these photographers have captured such powerful emotion through their composition or lighting, making century old statues seem stunningly alive.

Other Eerie but Beautiful Art and Photography:
Richard Avedon's Fantastic Fable
Twisted Childhood Memories
Chilling, Scary and Dark - These 15 Photos are Works of Art
Pop Surrealism by Todd Schorr

Tags: art, cemeteries, sculpture

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Comment by Alyssa Anda on November 17, 2010 at 1:07am: This is possibly thee most breath taking cemetery that I've seen, or even heard of. Makes one think that death can be beautiful.

Comment by Tamsen de Beer on November 5, 2010 at 11:09pm: Beautiful! I also want a weeping angel draped over my tombstone when I'm gone!

Comment by Kay Evans on November 5, 2010 at 2:33pm: Stunning!

Comment by Nandini Prakash on November 2, 2010 at 11:05pm: Amazingly beautiful pics...

Comment by sAm on November 1, 2010 at 10:33am: Absolutely amazing!

Comment by Stephen M. Barrett on November 1, 2010 at 6:45am: Incredibly beautiful. The photographers take. the work of the sculptors to another worldly level, a level the living sense but for the most part never see. Well Done. SMB

Comment by Steve Finney on November 1, 2010 at 2:44am: I think the Sculptors deserve some credit too.

Comment by Sheilagh J Regan on October 31, 2010 at 9:57pm: Stone angles creep me out , reminds me of Dr.Who " The Stone Angles are crying Doctor'

Comment by Annie on October 31, 2010 at 6:17pm: beautiful photography. two words come to mind....striking and haunting....