11102014Mon
Last updateFri, 07 Nov 2014 4pm
Century 21 Ajijic

Fabled city cemetery reopens in time for Day of the Dead

This jewel of 19th century architecture was the final resting place for many from Jalisco’s high society, including notable politicians, scientists and musicians.

It is noted for its beautiful mausoleums created for some of the most privileged families by the architect and painter Jacobo Gálvez. Many locals insist that the site is haunted and legends about vampires, pirates and all manner of other ghouls have become part of Guadalajara folklore.

As nobody has been buried at the cemetery for many years, it has become a museum managed by the Guadalajara City Hall. It is a popular visitor’s site as people come to learn about the legends via tours of the site during the day and night, as well as the newlyweds who have their photos taken against the picturesque backdrop.

But given the age of the site, and the extra footfall in recent years, the cemetery began to show significant wear and tear. So it has undergone a project of restoration between 2005 and 2014 through the National Council for the Culture and the Arts. In October last year, the site closed to the public while the major infrastructure work was carried out.

On Wednesday, Octobe 29, the site reopened and around 300 people came to see the improvements, which include reparations of the front facade which had shown cracks and fissures, the roof and the floor.

“We are very pleased that the cemetery is opening in time for the Day of the Dead, and tonight gives us a chance to talk about some of the events we are holding over the next few weeks,” said Monica Zapata of the Guadalajara City Hall. Those events include tours, concerts, film screenings, and storytelling.

Zapata said that some of the renovations to the cemetery are not that obvious but they were vital to protect against more grave problems in the future — several of the stone floor slabs for instance were in a bad state of disrepair.

Visitors on Wednesday night were also given the first viewing of an altar de muertos, which lined the path and steps leading from the entrance to the central chapel. Created by  José Hernández, it features candles, the orange flowers associated with the Day of the Dead (cempazuchitl), and the bread of the dead.

Guests were invited to enter one of the side chapels to view a photo exhibition showing some of the Catholic customs and rituals for preparing the the bodies of lost loved ones.  It is a small but powerful collection including images of young children or “angelitos” who have departed before their time.

Find out about upcoming events at the Museo Panteón de Belén via the “Cultura Guadalajara” page on Facebook.