Cemeterio Alemán

Latin American cemeteries are a jumble of tombs, one lying virtually atop another. But Cemeterio Alemán is different. Its graves are laid out in precisely straight rows with pathways between. These family plots planted with ivy and roses, backed by sweeping headstones are a window inside the German immigrant community. The stones are inscribed in that language: Hier ruhen sanft (Here they rest in peace), Geliebt, beweint und unvergessen (Beloved, mourned and unforgotten). The oldest grave is that of Herr Justus Schüler, with a metal cross from 1859. A group of other original tombs is in a stone-wall plot near the center of the yard. Mausoleums reflect different styles of German architecture: neo-Classical and neo-Gothic (the rage during the Romantic period when these immigrants came) to Bauhaus. Next to the Lutheran chapel is a blood beech tree (Fagus sylvatica, var. Atropurpurea) from Europe.

Location:
Los Carrera, between Colón and Angnulo
Osorno, Chile

Other Activity Types:
Cemetery

Getting There
The cemetery is located across from the back of the bus terminal.

Travel Tips: The Germans were buried in a cemetery apart from other Osorninos because they were not Catholic. Up until about 20 years ago, all the headstone inscriptions were in German; now Spanish is being used. Scattered throughout the graveyard are also the tombs of immigrants from England, the US, Poland and other countries.

Price Description: Free

Relative price: Budget

Open Hours from:Daily 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m.

Open Hours to:Daily 1 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Travel Skills: None

Stroll the town, checking out the various public monuments, churches, historic houses, the Cemeterio Alemán and the Fuerte Reina María Luisa. Visit the museums. Take in a performance of a movie. Visit near-by villages like Puerto Octay and Frutillar. Take a hike in Parque Nacional Puyehue and soak in the hot springs afterwards.

Currencies accepted
Chilean Peso

By Lorraine Caputo

Upon re-declaring her independence at age 29, Lorraine Caputo packed her trusty Rocinante (so her knapsack's called) and began traipsing throughout...

Created: 10 Feb 2009

Updated: 24 Mar 2009

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