Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery

(Redirected from Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery) Colonial-era cemetery in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
View of cemetery overlooking the Atlantic Ocean outside the Walls of Old San Juan, in-between the historic fortress of El Morro to the west, and the historic shantytown of La Perla to the east

Details
Established	1863
Location	Old San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Country	United States
Coordinates	18°28′11″N 66°07′13″W / 18.46972°N 66.12028°W / 18.46972; -66.12028
Type	Public
No. of graves	1,500+
Find a Grave	Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery


Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
U.S. National Historic Landmark District Contributing Property

Part of	Old San Juan Historic District (ID72001553 & ID13000284)
Significant dates
Designated CP	October 10, 1972
Designated NHLDCP	February 27, 2013

The Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era Catholic cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside the walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress, one of the island's most famous landmarks. The average height of the wall is 40 feet and the width ranges from 15 to 20 feet. It was named in honor of Saint Maria Magdalena de Pazzi.

According to Rafael Rodríguez, Chaplain and director of pastoral services at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón located in the Santurce district of the capital, the location of the cemetery is central to the Puerto Rican belief in the separation of death and life. The colonial Spanish government at the time construction of the cemetery commenced, viewed death with fear because it was a mystery. Therefore, they decided to build the cemetery to overlook the Atlantic Ocean to symbolize the spirit's journey to cross over to the afterlife.