Place in Memory
Inspired by the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery.
The Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The cemetery is located outside the walls of Fort San Felipe del Morro fortress, one of the island's most famous landmarks.
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.
From the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication online article Puerto Rico’s Hidden Treasure.
