There may be no other cemetery on earth that captures the emotion of love, loss and grief around death like Staglieno Cemetery in the Italian city of Genoa. With its stunningly life-like sculptures of people mourning their loved ones, the Cemetery of Staglieno is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
The Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno was designed in 1835 by prominent Genoese architect Carlo Barabino. Unfortunately, Barabino died in the same year from cholera and the project was handed to one of his pupils, Giovanni Battista Resasco. The cemetery was finally opened to the public in 1851, but work continued for several more decades after that.
An angel lies in despair on top of the tomb of the Ribaudo family ( faber121 / Adobe Stock)
A woman holds a bible close to her chest as she lowers her head in grief ( lnm / Adobe Stock)
A striking image of a child angel that sits on top of a grave in Staglieno Cemetery ( Andrea Vismara / Adobe Stock)
A child angels calls out to the heavens on top of a tomb in Staglieno Cemetery ( Andrea Vismara / Adobe Stock)
Sculpture of a woman sitting in silence and reflection on top of the tomb of a loved one. ( RusskyMaverick / Adobe Stock)
The Grave of Lavarella (1914). A naked woman peers down at the skull of a loved one on top a sarcophagus ( Paolo Photography / Adobe Stock)
Statue of a woman peering below a shroud covering a deceased loved one. Staglieno Cemetery, 1881 ( Andrea Vismara / Adobe Stock)
Sculpture of a grief-stricken man mourning the death of a loved one. Staglieno Cemetery ( Paolo Photography / Adobe Stock)
A dog comforts its owner who grieves the loss of a loved one ( drbnth / Adobe Stock)
Statue of a woman lying on top of the grave of her deceased husband ( BTWImages / Adobe Stock)
Sculpture of a woman holding up her young child to kiss the face of her deceased father, Staglieno Cemetery ( Nazario / Adobe Stock)
A child curls up in the arms of a young angel on top of a tomb in Staglieno Cemetery ( lnm / Adobe Stock)
Top image: A statue of a woman grieving the loss of a loved one at Staglieno Cemetery ( mallorca78 / Adobe Stock)
By Joanna Gillan
