Arenys de Mar has asked that its cemetery be considered as a European centre of cultural interest
Located on the top of a hill facing the Mediterranean Sea, the cemetery has become an icon within Catalan culture thanks to the poet Salvador Espriu and his book ?Cementiri de Synera? (?Cemetery of Synera?).
Arenys de Mar (CNA).- Arenys de Mar’s Town Hall has submitted an application to the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), asking that they include its cemetery as one of cultural interest. The cemetery is located on the top of a hill, with great views of the sea. It hosts sculptures of great artistic value from Josep Llimona to Venanci Vallmitjana. Joining the ASCE has been the first step the Town Hall has made towards the renovation of the space, transforming the municipal cemetery into an open air museum.
Currently, the ASCE represents 118 European cities. One of its more ambitious projects is the European Cultural Road of Cemeteries. It will include 49 cemeteries from 37 cities throughout 16 European countries. All together, their sites have had more than 5 million visitors.
For the moment, a scientific committee has been formed. Within the next 2 years, a website will be created, a book will be published and touristic guides will be prepared, among other promotional activities. Precisely, this last June, the Council of Europe confirmed the inclusion of two Barcelona cemeteries in this route: the Cemeteries of Montjuïc and Poblenou.