“Can you feel the weight of history here?” I ask. We stand before the First Cemetery of Athens. It is more than a burial ground. It’s a journey through time.
The First Cemetery of Athens is the city’s official cemetery. It was the first to be built. It opened in 1837. Soon it became a prestigious place for Greeks and foreigners. You will find it behind the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It is also near the Panathinaiko Stadium. This green space is full of pines and cypresses.
Three churches reside within the cemetery. The main church is dedicated to Saint Theodores. A smaller one honors Saint Lazarus. Saint Charles Church is a Catholic church.
Many impressive tombs grace this cemetery. Heinrich Schliemann’s tomb was designed by Ernst Ziller. Other notable tombs belong to Ioannis Pesmazoglou and Georgios Averoff. One tomb features Yannoulis Chalepas’ famous sculpture. It depicts a dead young girl called I Koimomeni or The Sleeping Girl. Burial areas exist for Protestants and Jews. This segregation is not compulsory.
The First Cemetery of Athens is under the Municipality of Athens. It is a declared historical monument.
Many famous people rest here. They include heroes of the Greek War of Independence. Figures like Odysseas Androutsos and Konstantinos Kanaris are interred here. Theodoros Kolokotronis is also here.
Philanthropists such as George Averoff also rest here. Singers like Sotiria Bellou and Stratos Dionysiou are buried here. Several Archbishops of Athens are interred here. They include Christodoulos and Chrysostomos II.
Other notable figures include Jules Dassin. He was a director and actor. Odysseas Elytis the Nobel laureate poet is also buried here. The historian George Finlay rests here as well.
The First Cemetery of Athens holds many actors. Dimitris Horn and Tzeni Karezi are among them. Actresses Marika Kotopouli and Ellie Lambeti are also here. Politicians like Andreas Papandreou and Antonis Tritsis are interred here.
Heinrich Schliemann rests here. He was the archaeologist who excavated Troy. His wife Sophia Schliemann is also buried here. Giorgos Seferis the poet is another notable interment. Prime Ministers Charilaos Trikoupis and Costas Simitis are here too.
Many sources inspired the design of the First Cemetery. Ancient grave sculpture is one source. This art inspires reflection on life. Ancient art inspires the cemetery’s character. The cemetery’s sculptures remind visitors of mortality.
The First Cemetery combines many elements. The grounds join sculpture and nature. This combination helps the cemetery to be beautiful. The cemetery is a place for reflection. Visitors can ponder life and death. They can appreciate Greek history. The First Cemetery is a special landmark in Athens.