Mid-City's Cemeteries

One of Mid-City's biggest attractions is its many cemeteries, which have a haunting beauty. These "cities of the dead" are the final resting places of famous musicians, Storyville madams, voodoo practitioners, politicians, and pirates.

You'll find few if any burials here, though; the dead are in aboveground tombs instead. New Orleans, most of which lies below sea level, has a high water table, which caused (and continues to cause, in some circumstances) buried coffins to pop out of the ground during a heavy rain. Raised graves and vaulted tombs were also an old tradition among the French and Spanish.

Most vaults or plots are adorned with symbols, revealing a secret language between the living and dead. An anchor stands for hope, a broken column represents a life cut short, and a broken flower symbolizes a life terminated. Sculpted ivy is a symbol of enduring friendship. Clasped hands stand for unity and love, even after death.

Mid-City cemeteries are some of the safest and most-trafficked in the city. One of the area's most popular is St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, but Cypress Grove Cemetery and Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery are good alternatives. It all depends on what's most convenient.

Located in a less-visited cemetery across from Lake Lawn Metairie, visitors can take a somber pause to remember victims at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial.

Save our Cemeteries (www.saveourcemeteries.org) is a great source for historical knowledge, safety info, and tours.