412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA
Once you overlook that this is a graveyard housing myriad misguided (problematic) Confederate soldiers, Hollywood Cemetery is quite stunning. The hilltop overlooking the barreling rapids of the James River basks perfectly in the sunlight on a bright and clear day, no matter the season.
Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler are notables buried in the depths of the Earth's core here. James Monroe's tomb is pictured at the end of this post, which is probably the most striking feature. There are other intricate tombs and a Chapel that opens up to the picturesque view of the river. If you dig a bit on the Internet, you'll find folklore and fables of ghosts haunting visitors of the cemetery. The gothic aesthetic of a cemetery lends an interesting backdrop to a bit of an edgier photoshoot.
It might be a bit odd to consider Hollywood Cemetery a tourist attraction or even a place for locals to enjoy, but when you're there, it feels peaceful and calming. The sun hits the location just right. The faint noise of the river flowing in the background will lull you to a state of contentment. Couples were enjoying picnics amid the dead, but because of the sheer beauty, it doesn't seem out of the ordinary. Hollywood Cemetery is not your typical cemetery (its ghosts are probably more racist than most).
Comentarios