The Cementerio General in Guatemala City was built in 1880, on the site of 8 Mayan hills. The cemetery is so massive, it even has paved roads and street signs.
Once inside, there are a wide variety of grave sites. From massive mausoleums, to the apartment-graves common around Central and South America, to dilapidated and broken sites, there’s a lot to see.
As usual, the disparity between the wealthy and poor was highly evident within the Cementerio General.
This massive Egyptian-styled tomb, built by one of Guatemala’s most famous families, the Castillo’s, for example, was juxtaposed next to a block of apartment graves.
In Guatemala, graves are leased. If/when a lease expires or goes unpaid, grave cleaners open it (break in) and take the body out. Remains are either reclaimed by families, reburied in small boxes, or placed in plastic and into a mass grave if unclaimed.
The Cementerio General backs up to the city’s massive landfill, Basurero Zona 3, separated from a cliff overlooking the landfill by a small (and non-continuous) fence. There were a good deal of vultures and trash blowing around near the back, adding to the atmosphere.
I think it goes without saying that we found a way to visit the landfill, as well. Read More →