|
 Necropolis is a place of an
usual atmosphere, where the time becomes a particular dimension, in
which emotions and memory matter most. Cemeteries bind the present
with the past, and the monuments and epitaphs bring to mind those, who
left forever. The cemeteries of exceptional historical and artistic
significance comprise not only Pow±zki in Warsaw or Rakowice in Cracow,
but also the Old Cemetery in Lodz, at Ogrodowa Street. It tells us the
story of the town, its life and the fate of its inhabitants in a
particular way, and the tri-religious character make it unique in
the country and in Europe. For a long time the cemetery was in a way
exclusive – it was a burial place for the members of old middle class
families and great manufacturers, as well as citizens of Lodz
meritious for the town. The unique position of Old Cemetery results
not only from its age or tri-religious character, but also from the
beauty of its composition. It comprises the historic landscape of the
necropolis with monumental trees, splendid artistic sculptures,
magnificent tombs among which gems of cemetery architecture as well as
historical mementos can be found. Over 200 tombs have been registered
as historic objects, and numerous graves remind us about patriotism,
devotion and merits. They make us reflect and wonder if Lodz could
exist without the shadows, which had allied so particularly in the Old
Cemetery. And would it be the same as it is today?
|
