And now I know that this area is called a columbarium
the mausoleum is in the background through the arches of the outdoor columbarium*
It has been around since 1870 and sits adjacent to the Royal Botanical Gardens, overlooking Lake Ontario.
I have driven past here countless times and have tentatively wandered along the winding paths and through this indoor/outdoor columbarium. The mausoleum and other buildings on the site are stunningly beautiful.
It is interesting that I feel completely at ease in a municipal cemetery or church graveyard, but this one feels... a little overwhelming. Once I get over my feeling of trepidation of being where I think I do not belong, I will photograph more of its grace and beauty.
*the difference between a columbarium and a mausoleum is the former holds the urns with the ashes and the latter the caskets with the body*
For more grave sites, visit Julie at Taphophile Tragics
*the difference between a columbarium and a mausoleum is the former holds the urns with the ashes and the latter the caskets with the body*
For more grave sites, visit Julie at Taphophile Tragics
We have some lovely outdoor columbariums in the Guelph Woodlawn Park Cemetery. I must get out and take some shots.
ReplyDeleteDelores: I saw some photos of the one in Guelph when I was searching for Woodland (Burlington) and mistakenly wrote Woodlawn (Guelph).
ReplyDeleteI can see that the flowers and the structure itself are beautiful. Perhaps what overwhelms is the sheer number of urns in it, all those remains of lives now done. I felt that at the Viet Nam War Memorial. As it started small and grew, with name upon name upon name. I was overwhelmed, both by the beauty and all those names. And by the fact that I was so very much alive.
ReplyDeleteCemeteries hold living creatures as well. I don't know. Then again, I am not comfortable in any of the settings, though I appreciate the beauty.
Columbarium... I did not know that was the name for the place.
Thanks for the information. Wondered about columbarium v mausoleum. Haven't seen many columbariums (though I can't say I've ever gone looking).
ReplyDeleteMelbourne cemetery is currently constructing more Mausoleums and Columbariums, both being multi-story to cope with the huge demand for space.
ReplyDeleteColumbarium is Latin and literally means a "pigeon house"!
Like a hallway of souls in lockers and so many have flowers! Such an amazing design for a cemetery!
ReplyDeleteYes, it looks like a beautiful area, amongst the snow!
ReplyDeleteNot a Chinese spammer but - Kung hii fat choy.
I did'nt know about the columbarians...but I do believe as a researcher its a good idea to have some sort of "earthly' marker for the living to acknowledge.
ReplyDeleteAre these fresh flowers? Quite a display. It's interesting how many columbariums are open to the air. For some reason this surprises me.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post as I do all your "grave" posts.
ReplyDeleteI loved to visit Rookwood Cemetary in Sydney. It is the largest cemetary in the Southern Hemisphere and it is a treasure trove of interesting 'endings'
ReplyDeleteFrom humble graves, with no name to huge Catholic edifices, which I really dont know the names of. I think the photos of the departed to be quite unnerving in some.
The flowers are a lovely touch in the columbarium.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen such a columbarium, it is for cremated people I think? We have them here too, but never went to see one. I share your feeling about hesitating to walk around. In other countries I don't have that, but in my own country I often feel an intruder.
ReplyDeleteHah! had to chuckle. If, as Nick says, a columbarium is literally 'a pigeon house', that would explain the floor in photograph 2.
ReplyDeleteLike Gemma, I thought the columbarium to be reminiscent of a high school locker area. It is softened considerably by the copious flowers.
I loved the array of comments you have attracted today, Sanna. I would love to know more about Holy Sepulchre and how it compares with the smaller municipal and churchyard variations.
Thanks for the definition by comparison of columbarium and mausoleum. I had never thought that consiously.
I love the manner in which your text so complements and adds to the images today. Thank you very much for your contribution to Taphophile Tragics.
Very cool!
ReplyDeleteI think we should make a date to explore a cemetery next week, if you're free.