Richard And Jo Demeester's photos with the keyword: graves

Japanese and German POW graves in Tashkent. Before coming here, and reading up about this part of history, we did not know that after the war, these people were not allowed to return directly to their homes and families. Despite being the "losers" in the war, we assumed that once over, surrender signed, repatriation of prisoners to their homes would have been a human right. So, for us, visiting here, and remembering that these people died, still as prisoners, AFTER the war, was both sobering and enlightening. They were required to stay for many years, and to help with the rebuilding efforts. The photo is from the small Japanese section. There are a dozen or so Japanese POW cemeteries around Uzbekistan. Nearby was a German section, which was smaller again.

I don't know if it was law or superstition, but there was a time when anyone who died in the city had to be buried within the walls, and if a person were to perish while away, their body could not be brought in. These graves along the walls were probably for people who were supposed to rest within, but they met their demise while away, so this was the closest burial spot that could be used.

Most of the graves were simple walled affairs, perhaps a stone marker, or maybe just piled earth or rocks within. Some were buildings with roofs, perhaps with a dome or a peak, appearing like a little mosque. These tombs, for the most part, were plain inside. Bare bricks, or a plain plaster render. We found four, though, that had interesting paintings on the walls. Pictures which, in some way, reflect the personality or wishes of the person now entombed within.

After wandering around the cemetery for an hour or so, we came across some fenced off areas where some of the oldest graves are. How old, we don't know, but certainly to be measured in hundreds of years. This one particularly prominent grave marker we thought to be outstanding.

Not far from Aktau, Koshkar Ata cemetery feels like a small city. When you wander deep within, and then seek a vantage point, there is almost nothing that can be seen in any direction other than tombs.

Shokpak Ata is a holy site in western Kazakhstan. For about a millennium, faithful have buried loved ones nearby. Some graves date from the 10th and 11th centuries, and newer ones are from the latter 1900s. Since the site is now a protected zone, new burials are no longer allowed. Only in (comparatively) recent years have dates or names been included on graves. So it is clues like style which help age the grave sites. These, we were told, are likely to be 16th or 17th century.

Beautifully maintained and manicured, wonderfully situated, and thoughtfully laid out. The war graves, primarily British, but also other Commonwealth countries in representation, are near the Sangro River. This was a front late in the war, when the Germans were retreating.

Santa Cruz cemetery. Over 100 civilians were killed during a protest in 1991.

Some tombs near Pafos recreated buildings for the living, with columned courtyards.

Called the Tombs of the Kings, there is an area near Pafos where hundreds of graves were created over a 600 year period. They are called the Tombs of the Kings because some were obviously resting places for important or wealthy citizens.

The necropolis of La Habana is a beautiful sculpture park. Many marble and granite graves, with a heavy emphasis on angels, and overall in a pretty good state of repair.