Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery

The Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era Catholic cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside the walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress, one of the island's most famous landmarks. The average height of the wall is 40 feet and the width ranges from 15 to 20 feet.[1] It was named in honor of Saint Maria Magdalena de Pazzi.

Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
View of cemetery overlooking the Atlantic Ocean outside the Walls of Old San Juan, in-between the historic fortress of El Morro to the west, and the historic shantytown of La Perla to the east
Map
Details
Established1863
Location
CountryUnited States
Coordinates18°28′11″N 66°07′13″W / 18.46972°N 66.12028°W / 18.46972; -66.12028
TypePublic
No. of graves1,500+
Find a GraveSanta Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
Part ofOld San Juan Historic District (ID72001553 & ID13000284)
Significant dates
Designated CPOctober 10, 1972
Designated NHLDCPFebruary 27, 2013

According to Rafael Rodríguez, Chaplain and director of pastoral services at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón located in the Santurce district of the capital, the location of the cemetery is central to the Puerto Rican belief in the separation of death and life. The colonial Spanish government at the time construction of the cemetery commenced, viewed death with fear because it was a mystery. Therefore, they decided to build the cemetery to overlook the Atlantic Ocean to symbolize the spirit's journey to cross over to the afterlife.[2]

Notable interments

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See also

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References

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