Although I enjoy a stroll through an old cemetery just about any time (OK, maybe not at midnight on a moonless night), during the celebrations of Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, cemeteries take on a special significance.
Because this particular Thursday Doors link-up occurs right before these celebrations, it seems like a frighteningly good time to share some photos of doors (and other… um… entrances) I discovered while visiting the San Miguel Cemetery in Oaxaca, Mexico this past spring (my Grave Discoveries post has more pictures and information about this amazing cemetery).
Thursdays Doors is a weekly cauldron of doors hosted by Norm Frampton. Spirit away to Norm’s blog where you’ll find a spooktacular selection of doors by clicking the blue (toe of) frog link at the end of his post.
Retirementally Challenged 
I love this, Janis. The atmosphere of this resting place really comes through in your photos. Nice catch on the grave being dug. The wooden ladder to the bottom was a bit of an eye opener. I guess there are many places where digging graves manually is still required.
Also, the 2nd photo with the (I assume) artificial bones decorating the ceiling is a bit … different. I’m guessing the big *O* is for Oaxaca.
Very cool photos!
Thank you!
That poor grave digger was working on a very hot day… good thing he had the shade cloth set up. As crowded as that cemetery was, I can’t imagine they could get any type of motorized equipment in to help dig.
I hadn’t thought about the O being for Oaxaca, but you are probably right.
I hadn’t thought about the shade cloth. I noticed it but it’s significance didn’t register. I imagine it is hot, unpleasant work.
The photo of the sealed entryway is creepy. Like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe story. I rather like the old vines merging with the ironwork, to form something new and peculiar. Trippy, that one. I’m glad that you decided to join in and do Thursday Doors.
I know! Both the sealed doors (can’t get out) and the tops of the graves that have been broken (maybe they did get out?) are a little creepy. Thanks for being my Thursday Doors muse!
I like a good graveyard too! I’m intrigued by the big white face – very unusual.
Here’s the translation as close as I can manage:
“I can’t help feeling like a child again when I think of you. I continue to miss you, Mom, wherever you are.” Then, at the bottom: “My mother is an angel”
Lovely, I could get the last sentence but not the rest. Definitely an unusual (and beautiful) tribute.
Beautiful photos! Time to get the altar ready for Día de los Muertos!
Yes! We actually thought of making one this year. Maybe we will…
Always a good choice for a pre-Halloween post subject. Nice shots 🙂
Thanks! Nice of you to arrange for a Thursday before Halloween 😄.
Love your cauldron of doors. 🙂
Thank you! I was picturing a bunch of doors in a boiling pot being stirred by three witches. 🙂
‘boil,boil,toil and trouble’ what a visual, Janis!
Frighteningly great photos of doors, Janis!
Ha! Thanks!
In the brilliant sunshine, these don’t look too daunting…all except the second to last pix…hard to ignore the direct significance to the subject!
There were quite a few like that… probably due to the shifting earth, but I prefer to imagine someone crawling out. 🙂
“Cauldron of doors,” “spirit away”, “spooktacular selection”… you are good — and have totally put me in the spirit of the season!
I’m a big fan of scary things (fake scary things, not what is really going on in the world).
I love doors! They’re intriguing. You’ve inspired me to think about writing a post about doors in my blog. 🙂
I hope you do!
Hmm. Indeed you found some doorways into magical and/or mystical realms. Great study.
There is just something about old cemeteries that makes me want to explore. Magical, mystical, and historical (and maybe a ghost or two…).
I agree. And of course, such a great time of the year to inhabit cemeteries. 😉
As long as we are inhabiting them standing up and breathing.
Nice and creepy photos Janis! And I love that they came from Oaxaca! One of these days Thom and I hope to either return to Oaxaca for Dia Del Los Muertos or another town that celebrates the holiday in a big way. I’ve heard that it really is something to behold. Thanks for the creep-out 🙂 ~Kathy
We are hoping to get back there for the celebrations too (maybe next year?). I understand that you can’t make your reservations too soon as things get booked up.
Those sealed doors are so very intriguing….I wonder what emotion inspired someone to do that? Thank you for the translation — The first sentence was beyond me, but I did get (most of) the second sentence. These pictures are definitely enough to put me in an ‘eerie’ mood!
Thank goodness for iTranslate… and even it struggled a bit with the translation.
Loved these photos. Perfect for this time of year. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Thank you! We’ll be attending a neighborhood party so both safe and happy.
Very appropriate for Halloween. 🙂
janet
I was happy to have another opportunity to share pictures of that amazing cemetery.
Dangerous Doors. Or, Dormant Doors. Deadly Doors? Definitely, some are quite spooky. Great shots for the Halloween period. They remind me of that big “Mountain View” cemetery in Oakland we walked to daily while house sitting next door.
I haven’t visited that one in Oakland… now it’s definitely on my list!
fascinating post because these are photos we do not see everyday – especially a couple of the ending ones – a little eerie – but great idea for a door post – 🙂
completely agree
I imagine a lot of the damage was done by past earthquakes… but the effect really is quite eerie. Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween to you too !
Beautiful and timely photos, Janis. I too find cemeteries peaceful and fascinating places.
I think cemeteries – especially the old ones – are fascinating too. They are also a window into our feelings about death and dying. I really appreciate the celebration of departed loved ones embraced in many latin cultures.
What fascinating pictures you shared with us!
Thank you! It was truly an exceptional cemetery… lots of history.
I could tell by the looks of it. Visiting places with deep history are the best.
Perfect for the challenge and time of year! The title is perfect too. A very unusual collection. The first photo and the grave being dug were my favorites but they were all special. Thanks for the recent visit to my blog.
I was a bit surprised to see the grave being dug… the cemetery was so old and full that I had assumed there was no more room. Apparently I was wrong🙃
Great pics! I like to remember the somber side of the Halloween/Day of the Dead celebrations.
I think what I especially like about the Day of the Dead celebrations is the joyful aspect. It’s uplifting, not scary at all.
Well, serious doesn’t have to be scary. But I agree that joy is an important part of it too.
That is a good collection of (some unusual, some a bit disconcerting) cemetery photos. We recently were in Paris for a few days and stumbled upon a beautiful small cemetry. Another favorite that comes to mind was the one in Buenos Aires in Argentina, with its amazing sculptures.
Peta
I just read about a book I must get: “199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die.” I am definitely a tombstone tourist and would love to learn about other beautiful cemeteries to add to my list. Thanks for your suggestions!
Oooooo (or should I say Booooo 👻). You have again inspired me yet. I have lots of great ‘doors’ shots from the stupas here in SE Asia . Maybe I will cobble together a Thurdsay Doors post one of these days. I follow Norm and many others who post in his weekly challenge, but I’ve never managed to play along (although I think of him every time I see a good door). Let us see what the future holds.
Loved your ‘Grave Discoveries’ post. I share your love for old cemeteries.
I would LOVE it if you would share your doors – I’m sure Norm’s other followers would love it too (please, please)! I’d love to see any interesting cemetery photos too.