Fluntern Cemetery in Zurich

Cemeteries usually get a bit of a bad rep, especially around this time a year with Halloween and all. Me, I find them quite peaceful and I just love wandering around them. On my stopover in Zurich I read about the Fluntern Cemetery and decided to go check it out.

Fluntern Cemetery is only a tram ride away from the city centre and is located in the Zurichberg district. The tram ride there was lovely, meandering through a leafy residential area with glimpses of the lake popping in and out of view.

It took a bit of detective work to find the entrance gate and to work out how to open it, but once in I was in for a treat. Not only is Fluntern Cemetery the final place of rest of James Joyce and his wife Nora Barnacle, but it is probably the most artsy cemetery I'd ever been to.

The grave sites were neatly laid out along well kept paths and grassy plots. Trees were lining the walkways and when I was there, were ablaze with fiery autumn colours. But what made this cemetery so special was the abundant pieces of art adorning many of the graves. I saw a stone carving of a shepherd with sheep, a metal sculpture of angels soaring through the sky and stone statues of two children huddling together and one of couple that seemed to be consoling each other.

There was hardly anybody there, which made the experience feel even more peaceful. I spent a good couple of hours walking around admiring the art work and taking in the tranquil atmosphere before heading back to the busy city centre of Zurich. The contrast couldn't have been any bigger.