Cementiri de Palamós

Cementiri de Palamós is the historic municipal cemetery built on a low promontory right at the edge of the town centre, in the Baix Empordà region of Catalonia. It was laid out at the close of the 19th century, after the old parish cemetery in Palamós reached capacity following centuries of continuous burials. The new grounds were planned on a trapezoidal footprint, with the entrance facing southwest — a layout that still shapes the visitor's route through the site today.

What does the entrance look like?

The gateway is formed by a portal closed with a semicircular arch and topped by a triangular pediment resting on pilasters. A wrought-iron cross crowns the whole structure, immediately setting a solemn tone for anyone stepping inside. Beyond the gate lies a first open space with a cross at its centre and buildings flanking it on either side, leading into the main central passageway. Perpendicular paths branch off from it, lined with rows of niches and family mausoleums.

What stands at the far end of the grounds?

At the back of the cemetery rises its chapel, known as the Sant Crist (Holy Christ) chapel, built in neo-Gothic style. It has a rectangular floor plan and a gabled roof, and its doorway is framed by a pointed arch with low-relief carving, topped by a small rose window. It's the most recognisable landmark inside the walls, visible from the main avenue itself.

What kind of architecture do the tombs show?

Along the pathways stand rectangular mausoleums roofed with tile over barrel-vaulted structures. Many of them echo the form of traditional local fishermen's buildings — fitting for a town whose history has been tied to the sea and fishing for centuries. Decorative details on individual tombs blend several architectural currents from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, producing an eclectic yet coherent whole. The grounds are partly landscaped with trees and greenery, softening the starkness of the stone structures.

How does it differ from the Sant Joan cemetery?

Palamós is also home to a second cemetery, Sant Joan, opened in 1911 — more than a decade after the one described here. Sant Joan was built to accommodate the town's continued growth and was inaugurated in two stages: first as a Catholic cemetery, then, the following day, as a civil cemetery for non-religious burials. Both grounds still operate today as municipal cemeteries run by the Palamós town council, but the older one covered here stands out for its more imposing gate and neo-Gothic chapel.

Why is it worth a visit?

The Palamós cemetery offers more than a place of burial — it's a small lesson in the sepulchral architecture of the Costa Brava, blending vernacular forms borrowed from fishermen's houses with stylistic touches typical of its era. The town occasionally organises guided visits, particularly around All Saints' Day, when local guides share the stories behind individual tombs and the families linked to them.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Palamós cemetery built? It was established at the end of the 19th century, after the town's earlier parish cemetery became overcrowded.

Is the cemetery open to visitors? Yes, as a municipal cemetery it is open to the public during regular hours, and the town also runs occasional guided thematic visits.

What makes the chapel stand out? The neo-Gothic Sant Crist chapel, with its pointed-arch portal, carved relief and small rose window, is the site's main architectural landmark.

Is this the only cemetery in Palamós? No — the town also has the Sant Joan cemetery, opened in 1911 as its second municipal burial ground.