ALL SAINT'S DAY NOV 1, 2015

NOVEMBER 1, 2015

November 1st is All Saint's Day in Europe.  People flock to the cemeteries to place flowers on their loved ones' graves.  The public transportation runs more often  and is so full you can hardly find a seat. 

We decided to visit the Zentralfriedhof that is one of the largest cemeteries in the world. You can get lost in it (and I have).  It opened on All Saint's Day in 1874 with some controversy.  It was decided it would be a multi-denominational cemetery and some people were not happy about that.  It has sections for Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and even Mormons.

The beautiful Art Nouveau Karl Borromaeus Church is in the center.  We got there just as a candlelight service was ending and heard the beautiful organ music,

There are flower shops all around the cemetery selling wreaths and arrangements.

 

                        Vienna's Zentralfriedhof

                               So many people

 

                                            Flowers for sale

 

                                             Karl-Borromaeus Church

 

                                           Just in time to see the candles and hear the organ

 

                                               Pieta

 

                                Roger in the Mormon section as the sun was going down