Reprinted Articles

When you consider the fact that the metropolis of Greater London is the largest in Europe and that it covers an area in excess of 1600 sq km you will not be too surprised to learn of the multitude of world famous tourist attractions that are to be found there. Amongst the most widely known landmarks and tourist attractions are the relatively new London Eye and London Zoo and the many historical buildings such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. However London has much more to offer than first meets the eye and, with a little investigation, you will be able to uncover a number of fascinating hidden places well worth visiting if you are in the city.

One of the most incredible places in London to visit that is not too widely known is the eerie Highgate Cemetery. The cemetery would fit the bill perfectly as a location for the shooting of a Hollywood gothic horror story with it’s Victorian splendor now aged beautifully and rather overgrown. Covering an area of around 37 acres Highgate Cemetery has a number of noteworthy graves with amazing obelisks, vaults, mausoleums and catacombs. Amongst the most famous grave monuments is that of Karl Marx.

When Karl Marx died in 1883 (he moved to London in 1849) he was buried in the simple family plot at Highgate Cemetery. However the Communist Party of Great Britain felt that something more befitting for the “Father of Communism” should be put in place and in 1954 they commissioned the amazing monument and bust we see today. Sadly the decision had not been unanimous and many felt that, considering his teachings, it was rather grotesque and some, in 1970, went as far as trying to blow it up.

Besides Karl Marx Highgate has a great many other famous people buried there and it can be something of a challenge to find them all. Here are a few that are worth finding; G. Wombwell, Michael Faraday, Julius Beer, John Lobb, Tom Sayers (bare knuckle fighter), Christina Rossetti, J. W. Cross, C. H. Newton, Dr S.Birch, Sir Leslie Stephen, George Eliot and the family grave of Charles Dickens.

One of the things that are brought to mind when we think of the Victorian period is the way in which they built lavish buildings which are most evident in the incredible Victorian public buildings which remain in use today. The styles of their creations were heavily influenced by those found throughout the British Empire. In the mid nineteenth century London was in great need of burial grounds and seven cemeteries where built. The Victorian attitude to design was extended to these graveyards which became known as the “magnificent Seven” with Highgate being the most fantastical.

Successful Victorians liked to display their wealth and success even in death. One of the most amazing parts of Highgate Cemetery is the area which includes the much photographed Egyptian Avenue and Circle of Lebanon, both of which contain numerous mausoleums. Once through the Egyptian Avenue you arrive at the Circle of Lebanon which is two circles of mausoleums arranged around an ancient Lebanon cedar tree.

Although there are many people who tend to the cemetery much of the character has been allowed to remain and many areas are rather overgrown. This adds to the excitement of discovering the different statues and monuments. There is something really special about peering through creeping vines to find a splendid weeping angel, life sized animals or, in the case of the grave of James Selby, something altogether more spectacular.

If you really do want to know more about the grave of James Selby I would suggest you search online as I have chosen not to describe it in this article because I feel that describing it in full will destroy the impact and wonder if you visit it yourself. I am sure that if you do find it you will fully appreciate my decision to omit it and also understand why I made a point of highlighting it - it really is something special.

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