Green-Wood is a fascinating Victorian burial site located in the heart of Brooklyn, which was founded in 1838 as part of the ‘garden cemetery’ movement. The landscapers responsible for designing the cemetery took inspiration from the iconic Père Lachaise in Paris and the Magnificent Seven Cemeteries in London. For which Green-Wood then went on to inspire the creation of Central Park in Manhattan as well as the nearby Prospect Park.

The burial ground was one of the first rural cemeteries in America and is noted for its magnificent beauty spanning 478 acres of rolling hills, valleys, ponds and includes over 7000 trees. Not only did it offer grieving families a peaceful location to visit their loved ones but also a place for New Yorkers to enjoy great natural beauty in a park-like setting. During the 19th century it was noted as Brooklyn’s first public park and back then it was unbelievably one of the most visited tourist destinations for families, even matching Niagara Falls!

Due to the expansive scale of the cemetery, including approximately 600,000 graves, I would recommend starting from the main gates at the Northwest side of the cemetery and working your way down to Fort Hamilton gate at the Southeast point to exit, which are both in fact city landmarks. As you walk up the sweeping drive you will be greeted by the intricately carved Gothic Revival entrance arch designed by Richard Upjohn and if you look closely in the centre, you can see the Monk Parakeet colony which have nested there.

From the main gates head towards the Green-Wood cemetery chapel designed by Warren and Wetmore in the neo-gothic style, which features multiple turrets and 41 figurative stained-glass windows. To the right of the chapel, you will find one of Green-Wood’s original ponds, surrounded by beautiful cherry blossoms it is home to a community of turtles that you can see from the banks.

Walk along Landscape Avenue admiring the grounds of this well-kept site and follow the many smaller pathways which spike your curiosity. Within the centre of the necropolis, you will uncover the Cedar Dell where you can discover some of the oldest graves arranged in a spiritual circle, some of which showcase on the headstones a selection of skull carvings.

Continue south to see ‘Azrael’, the Angel of Death memorial to Brooklyn Mayor Charles Schieren and his wife before exiting through the Fort Hamilton gate.

This route took around three hours to complete but if you have time I would highly recommend exploring more of the cemetery and visiting some of the famous names who are buried here including amongst many others, the corrupt politician William M. Tweed, famous artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and American newspaper editor Horace Greeley.

Green-Wood is still an active cemetery but also a wonderful historic landmark and outdoor museum for those whose curiosity leans towards the macabre.

 Tip: Make sure to pick up a map on your way in!