Fluntern Cemetery

Fluntern Cemetery (German: Friedhof Fluntern) is a graveyard in the Zürichberg district of Zurich, Switzerland. Most visitors come for one reason, the grave of James Joyce, but the quiet, leafy hillside cemetery has a calm character of its own and several other well-known names among its residents.

Where is Fluntern Cemetery?

The cemetery lies on the Zürichberg, the hill above central Zurich, close to the city zoo. The easiest way to find it is from the zoo tram terminus. The name comes from the former municipality of Fluntern, now part of the city. The cemetery opened in 1887.

Who is buried at Fluntern Cemetery?

The most famous resident is the Irish writer James Joyce, author of Ulysses, who died in Zurich in 1941. His grave is the main draw for literary pilgrims. His wife, Nora Barnacle, and their son are buried in the same grave. The Irish government once refused Nora's request to move his remains to Ireland, so Joyce stayed in Switzerland. A statue of the writer stands nearby and tends to catch visitors' attention.

Just to the left of Joyce's grave lies Elias Canetti, winner of the 1981 Nobel Prize in Literature, who died in August 1994. Two major twentieth-century writers resting side by side makes the spot special for anyone who loves literature.

Other people buried here include:

• Max Bircher-Benner, a physician and nutrition reformer who created the famous muesli,
• Kurt Früh, a Swiss film director,
• members of the Szondi family.

What should you know before visiting?

Fluntern is a working cemetery, so respectful behavior applies: keep your voice down, photograph with care, and give space to people visiting their own loved ones. The paths are peaceful and lined with trees, and the whole place feels more like a park. Graves of famous people are marked modestly, so it helps to check their location on a plan beforehand or ask for directions. Some visitors leave small tokens at Joyce's grave, but moderation is appreciated.

How can you combine the visit with other sights?

Its closeness to the zoo and the Zürichberg woods makes the cemetery an easy part of a half-day outing. You could follow a Joyce literary trail through the city, visit his grave, then walk the forest paths of the Zürichberg or stop by the zoo. For literature fans it is one of the most important stops in Zurich, and for everyone else it is simply a peaceful pause away from the city bustle.

Frequently asked questions

Is James Joyce buried at Fluntern Cemetery? Yes. The writer died in Zurich in 1941 and rests here with his wife Nora Barnacle and their son.

Who else is buried there? Elias Canetti, the 1981 Nobel laureate, whose grave is right next to Joyce's, Max Bircher-Benner, the creator of muesli, and the film director Kurt Früh.

Where exactly is the cemetery? In the Zürichberg district of Zurich, near the zoo.

When did the cemetery open? In 1887.

Is it a tourist attraction? Above all it is an active cemetery, but its famous graves draw many literature and history enthusiasts.