Cementerio de San Eufrasio

Cementerio de San Eufrasio is the oldest cemetery in Jaén, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. No longer used for burials, it remains open to visitors as a site of clear historical and artistic value, sitting on the edge of the city's historic center and carrying the name of Saint Euphrasius, one of the patron saints of the Diocese of Jaén.

Why was this cemetery built, and how did it get its name?

For centuries, residents of Jaén were buried around the city's churches, chapels and convents. This practice grew increasingly troubling from a public health standpoint, particularly during outbreaks of disease. As early as 1787, King Charles III issued a royal decree ordering that cemeteries be built outside inhabited areas, but in many Spanish cities, including Jaén, implementing this rule dragged on for decades due to disputes between civil and church authorities and deeply rooted burial customs. It was only in 1829, following an agreement between the municipality and the bishopric, that the new cemetery was finally raised — a project attributed to Manuel López Lara. It was named after Saint Euphrasius to link the new, organized burial ground outside the city walls with the older tradition of church-based burials.

What can visitors see inside the cemetery today?

San Eufrasio functions as more than a burial ground — it is effectively an open-air collection of funerary art. Its pathways wind between family tombs, chapels and gravestones designed by local architects, among them one credited under the surname Berges. The styles on display reflect the tastes of their era, ranging from classicizing forms to more decorative, eclectic compositions typical of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Because of this artistic and historical value, the cemetery has been declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), Spain's designation for assets of special cultural significance, which protects it from alteration or deterioration.

What is the story behind the "corral de los ahorcados"?

Right next to the main cemetery once stood an area known as the "corral de los ahorcados," literally the "yard of the hanged." This is where people whose burial in consecrated ground was, under the religious and social norms of the time, considered impossible were taken — among them those executed by hanging and non-Christians. This grim detail is a reminder of how strictly burial space was once divided, and who was excluded from resting alongside the rest of the community.

Is the cemetery still active?

No. Cementerio de San Eufrasio ceased operating as an active cemetery in 2002, when new burials on the site stopped. Since then, it has functioned mainly as a historical and memorial site — a point of reference for Jaén residents tracing their ancestors' graves, and a destination for anyone interested in the city's history and its funerary architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? In the city of Jaén, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain.

When was it built? In 1829, after decades of earlier disputes over moving burials outside church grounds.

Can it be visited? Yes. As a site designated Bien de Interés Cultural, it remains open to visitors, even though it no longer accepts new burials.

Why is it named after San Eufrasio? In honor of Saint Euphrasius, regarded as one of the patron saints of the Diocese of Jaén.