The Monumental Cemetery of Milan (Cimitero Monumentale) is located not very far from the center. It is a kind of “architectural gem” of the city. It was created in 1864. Since then, it has been filled with real works of art and is completely unlike the cemeteries we are used to — it is an open-air museum. The cemetery was solemnly opened in 1866 and represented an unprecedented example of equality among citizens for that time.
In one area (albeit in separately designated zones), the residents of Milan of various faiths found eternal rest: Catholics, Israelites, representatives of non-Catholic denominations. The main part of the project, executed by architect Carlo Maciachini, is surprisingly harmonious, light, and bright, combining, in the prevailing eclectic style of the time, Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine styles. The central part of the composition is a structure with a specially invented name “Famedio” (completed in 1887). This is a kind of non-religious temple where the most honored citizens of the city rest. It is no coincidence that the attributes of important families in the city were considered to be a bench in the Cathedral, a box in the La Scala theater, and a tomb in the Memorial Cemetery in its central part with particularly grand and lavish monuments.
The immense wealth of forms, materials, symbols, and simply soul-touching images will not leave even the most art-averse person indifferent. Perhaps this open-air museum initially creates a frightening impression – after all, we are in a cemetery, and all the sculptures have a mournful character. It is here that many of the most famous people of Italy are buried, including: Giuseppe Verdi (although later his remains were moved to another place), Alessandro Manzoni, Carlo Cattaneo, Salvatore Quasimodo, conductor Arturo Toscanini, and sculptor Bruno Munari.
