Frankly, ego played a big role in building up the magnificent cemetery in Recoleta reserved for the aristocrats and the rich of the Argentine society. The grandeur is simply overwhelming, and makes it a wonderful place to go for a walk and contemplate. Industrialists and entrepreneurs, politicians and writers, madams and millionaires, all designated this place as their final resting place. It is certainly true to say that a lot of Argentina's history is buried here.
Do you think wealthiness obliges the rich to be buried in abundant mausoleums?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Buried History of Argentina
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12 comments:
That's fascinating. Almost like some kind of continued competition even after the final passage.
Talk about conspicuous consumption. Very interesting.
The rich seem to be able to do just about anything they want to do because money usually equals power...I'd like to visit this place, though, because in spite of their money, they're still just as dead as all the poor people, and ultimately no one cares whether they were rich or poor.
I think they build such mausoleums since they fear the ultimate irony - that in the end, there is an end.
No, it's just their own egotism. Won't do a damn thing for them when they're gone.
I love to wander around Recoleta, except for the old bilingual lady who hangs around Evita's tomb, telling stories about her history whether you want to hear them or not and expecting to be well tipped. She is colorful, though.
Some day, when you have time and the light is good, go out to Chacarita and shoot Gardel's tomb. It is very moving to find the personal memorials left every day, the lit cigarette someone puts in the fingers of his outstretched hand, more than 70 years after his death.
I could wander in this place or hours. Your photo surprised me because I have one from almost this same angle.
I agree with Bob, it's all about the huge egos.
Cemeteries are wnderful places to explore, and marvel at the foolish egotism of the rich.
There is an amazing variety to the tombs. It seems there were no cemetery style guidelines.
Actually, I would prefer if the dead didn't take up so much space. But I guess we wouldn't see these magnificent mausoleums if that was followed.
Love the one in the right foreground with the dark rough-hewn rocks!
Spooky image, but very cool. It's like a mishmash of different architectural styles, in miniature form.
Fabulous snap. It undoubtedly looks wonderful location to explore.
I have visited this cemetery, it's absolutely amazing!
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