Words + Images

photo by D. Ledesma

I am grateful to have family and friends who as they walk in the world will sometimes pause and think, “Hmmm.  This is a picture that Cynthia might like.” Some people will share photos of that sight in the moment by text.  Other times, as most often happens with my brothers, they will give me a ring and describe in great detail the Virginia sky above them. It is all wonderful, as are these images shared by a friend who recently traveled around London.  She is an archaeologist who has been involved in Egyptian digs and one day I will convince her to sit down for an interview about why she chose that field. Until then here are photos she shared of a walk through Highgate Cemetery.

photo by D. Ledesma

As the website notes, this cemetery opened in 1839 and is considered one of England’s great treasures with its fine funerary architecture.  There is an east side and a west side. The west side which includes an Egyptian Avenue is considered fragile and accessible only by special tour.  People of many backgrounds are buried here with some of the most famous figures buried including Karl Marx and George Eliot.

photo by D. Ledesma

From these photos alone one can see the interplay of light and shadow upon the beautiful sculpture.  Scary movies (e.g. one involving Dracula) have been shot here but from these photos one can also imagine the serenity of this sacred space. It is still an operating cemetery.

photo by D. Ledesma

For history buffs, the history page on the website is an amazing compilation of old and new video as well as text.  I don’t know if I will ever have the chance to view this place in person but I thank Ms. Ledesma for sharing these images with me.

Learn more at …

http://highgatecemetery.org/

http://highgatecemetery.org/about/history

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