This is one out of three St. Louis Cemeteries, the oldest surviving cemeteries in New Orleans.  It was established by Royal Spanish Land Grant in 1789.  The St. Louis Cemetery No.1, at the corner of St. Louis and Basin Street, was originally twice its current size and located outside of the city limit. All the graves are above-ground vaults which believed to protect the bodies from flooding and was also a common practice adapted by French and Spanish culture.

~

The sky-scraping New Orleans city skyline against down-to-earth tombs of St. Louis Cemetery No.1.

~

The cemetery is adorned with fascinating memorial sculptures, monuments, and statuary.

~

The tallest monument in the cemetery belongs to The Italian Mutual Benevolent Society.  The tomb has space for a thousand remains for the society members.  It is a way to lower the fund of burial for individuals.

~

Some of notable citizens of New Orleans were buried here.  The most visited now is probably what is believed to be the tomb of the Voo Doo Queen, Marie Laveau, who was rested in her family tomb.  The tomb is covered with cross marks put by people who believe that it will make Laveau’s spirit grant a wish. The living family members consider this as vandalism.

~

“OMNIA AB UNO” – all comes from One-  is engraved on this pure white 9-feet pyramid tomb belongs to actor Nicolas Cage for his future final resting place. The plot was purchased in 2010.

~

The Adams Family tomb (the white one).

~

A tomb with different finish.

~

Iron works at the cemetery adapt fleur-de-lis and cross elements.

~

New Orleans skyline meets the cemetery’s gate.Photographs © 2015 Ine Burke | inegaleri.com

All photograph is available for individual print purchase.