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Although it may seem eerie to some, walking tours at local New Orleans cemeteries is a very popular tourist attraction. New Orleanians pay the highest respect to the dead. Dating back to the 1700s, some of New Orleans’s famous residents have ornate, unique tombs that hold the secrets within their last resting place. Lafayette Cemetery is situated directly across Commander’s Palace in the Garden District and has been in many films shot in New Orleans. We can’t forget the ever popular St. Louis Cemetery #1 which is home to Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau’s grave.
Recently my husband and I toured Saint Roch Cemetery in the Faubourg Marigny/Bywater area. Somewhat off the beaten track, Saint Roch Cemetery includes a chapel built by Father Thevis. Story has it that Father Thevis prayed to Saint Roch (it was said that Saint Roch’s touch, prayers, and signing of the cross on those who were ill healed them) for protection from yellow fever and dedicated the chapel to Saint Roch in thanksgiving for those who survived the yellow fever epidemics of the 19th century. Eventually Father Thevis was also buried beneath the chapel of St. Roch cemetery.
For more than a century many have traveled to St. Roch Cemetery in New Orleans as a pilgrimage of thanksgiving by those who have been cured of an ailment. Artifacts like organ replicas, glass eyes, and prosthetic have been collected over the years after coming to St. Roch’s cemetery. We found items like plaster and ceramic replicas of organs to false teeth in a closet attached to the small chapel. We also noticed bricks inscribed with “Merci” and “Thanks” and layer of coins in the small closet.
Naturally New Orleans is known for above ground burial sites due to being located slightly below sea level. Also, above-ground burial was a common practice in both France and Spain who happen to be the early settlers of New Orleans. In the end, several generations will join each other in one final resting place.
I’m not so sure I would want to visit cemeteries, even if there is a lot of history attached. If I ever make it to New Orleans there are lots of other places and things you have mentioned that I would love to see–just not the cemeteries please.
That’s pretty cool and the photos are awesome as well!
New Orleans is high on my list to travel too this year. I want to see this cemetery.
Love these photos! I would love to visit NOLA. Thanks for all the great posts about it!
I’ve toured the first two you mentioned, but I haven’t been to this one. Looks like I need to do that. It’s all so fascinating!
I would be so happy to see all of this one day. Thanks for sharing a sneek peak!
Love your images, I know my cousin would certainly visit there if she was near, she loves walking through and looking at all the memorials.
This sounds like an interesting tour indeed. I have never thought of touring a cemetary before but it sounds interesting for sure and I will hopefully be able to check it out some day. Thanks for sharing.
This is one place I would LOVE to see. It is o my bucket lists of cities I want to visit.