General Cemetery and Flower Market

Location:
Calle Julián Coronel y Calle Machala
Guayaquil, Ecuador

City Walk

V!VA User‘s Description

Guayaquil’s General Cemetery is among the most elaborate cemeteries in all of the Americas. Boasting neo-classical architecture and sculpture from noted Spanish and Italian artists of the 20th century, each turn through the labyrinth of mausoleums brings surprises and awe. Marble angels weeping or gloriously standing watch frequently decorate graves. The presence of Guayaquil’s Masonic influence can also be found while exploring the nooks and crannies.

The lavish decoration and expensive materials of the tombs in this area are contrasted by the wooden crosses on the western side of the hill where the practically vertical graves seem to be piled on top of one another. These are the sites where those who cannot afford to pay for a niche in one of the cement mausoleums have snuck their loved ones in during the night to bury them.

Cemetery Folklore: Located at the main entrance is the grandiose tomb of Victor Emilio Estrada, former President of the Republic and Banker. Legend tells that he made a pact with the devil exchanging his soul for wealth and power. As a result, his spirit is not at peace and wanders the street near the cemetery at night. Taxi drivers tell of picking up a man walking alone along the street who then requests to be dropped off at the cemetery entrance where his tomb is located.

The flower market is in front of this main entrance where Calle Machala dead-ends into Julián Coronel next to the “salones de velorio” where the families of the deceased mourn for 24 hours before carrying loved ones across the footbridge to their final resting places. Flower arrangements are a distinct mixture of roses, orchids, and palm fronds. Each booth competes with the next in creating more and more beautiful arrangements.

Getting There
The easiest way to arrive is by taxi. Ask to be taken to the “mercado de flores del cementerio general” (general cemetery flower market). The stairway to the footbridge crossing the street to the main entrance into the cemetery is next to the market

Travel Tips: * Though there are guards at the gates, there are none throughout the rest of the cemetery, therefore it is not recommended to be inside the cemetery, especially alone, after dark.

* Wear a hat and take a bottle of water.

* Those who read Spanish and are interested in more of the cemetery’s legends can stop by the Guayaquil Municipal Library on 10 de Agosto between Chile and Pedro Carbo. As part of a project to save narrative heritage, the library has published a collection of Guayaquil ghost stories called Historias Tenebrosas de Guayaquil Antiguo by Felipe de la Cuadra Moreira.

Price Description: Free

Open Hours from:09:00

Open Hours to:18:00

Travel Skills: None