Today, November 2nd, is celebrated the All Souls' day in Brazil like in other countries in the world.
Several cemeteries in São Paulo city receive families and people in general that visit the tumbs of their beloved relatives or friends to pray for them.
The cemetery of Consolation (Consolação) was the first cemetery built in the city in the middle of the XIXth century. Before that date the important dead people were buried inside churches which have caused a lot of sanitary problems.
Located close to the historical center at Consolação Ave., int he heart of the city, surrounded by modern buildings nowadays, the cemetery gives the opportunity to understand better the history of the development of the city in the twentieth century and the transformation of its cultural, educational and social life through the expansion of coffee production and the arrival of diverse immigrational groups.
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Brazilian writer Monteiro Lobato, the modernist artist Tarsila do Amaral, the poet and writer Mario de Andrade, the journalist Libero Badaro, the medical sanitary officer Cesário Motta Júnior, the influent Marchioness of Santos and the architect Ramos de Azevedo - responsible for the construction of the imponent entrance gate of the building and its chapel, are just some of the personalities that share their tumbs in the artistic rows of the cemetery. Many of the art work was created and designed by renowned Italian sculptors like the modernist Victor Brecheret and Amadeo Zani.
Tumb of Brazilian socialite Olivia Penteado, created by Victor Brecheret, photo by wikipedia
The tomb art tour coordenated by the administration of the cemetery points out several different aspects of the area by showing the tumbs and exploring a lot of stories that involve the visitors and the tourists.
One of the highlights is the mausoleum of a prestigious family named Matarazzo, an Italian imigrant that arrived in Sao Paulo in 1881 and made fortune by building an empire of businesses that included food and textile industries. Its mausoleum, designed by the Italian sculptor Luigi Brizzolara, is considered the largest in South America with a height equivalent to a three-story building.
Mausoleum of the Matarazzo family, photo by wikipedia
It is not rare to find students from public and private schools of the city visiting the graveyard. To get in touch with the burier Evaldo da Costa, who has been working in the cemetery for more than 20 years, can be a remarkable experience for them. Edvaldo likes to play with the kids and explore the idea of death and the mythical references we have about it. Stories of ghosts and fear are part of his presentation to the groups. Some of them respect some superticious instructions when they are leaving the site. They walk into reverse and make the sign of cross three times. There are people that believe it is a kind of guarantee that no spirit will follow you.
Consolation Cemetery
Address: Rua da Consolação, 1.660
Telephone: (11) 3256-5919,
Time: from Monday to Friday, from 07:00a.m. to 06:00p.m. (guided tours from 09:00a.m. to 02:00p.m.)
Free Entrance
Eliana Souza - SPin Brazil Tours
