Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery

Colonial-era cemetery in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

18°28′11″N 66°07′13″W / 18.46972°N 66.12028°W / 18.46972; -66.12028TypePublicNo. of graves1,500+Find a GraveSanta Maria Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery

U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property

Part ofOld San Juan Historic District (ID72001553)Designated NHLDCPOctober 10, 1972

The Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery is a colonial-era Catholic cemetery located in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is the final resting place of many of Puerto Rico's most prominent natives and residents. Construction began in 1863 under the auspices of Ignacio Mascaro. The cemetery is located outside the walls of Castillo San Felipe del Morro fortress, one of the island's most famous landmarks. The average height of the wall is 40 feet and the width ranges from 15 to 20 feet.^[1] It was named in honor of Saint Maria Magdalena de Pazzi.

According to Rafael Rodríguez, Chaplain and director of pastoral services at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón located in the Santurce district of the capital, the location of the cemetery is central to the Puerto Rican belief in the separation of death and life. The colonial Spanish government at the time construction of the cemetery commenced, viewed death with fear because it was a mystery. Therefore, they decided to build the cemetery to overlook the Atlantic Ocean to symbolize the spirit's journey to cross over to the afterlife.^[2]

Notable interments

Pedro Albizu Campos, nationalist leader and politician
Aurora de Albornoz, scholar, poet
José Julián Acosta, abolitionist, journalist
Ricardo Alegría, father of modern Puerto Rican archaeology
Miguel Ángel Álvarez, journalist, comedian and actor
Jose Celso Barbosa, founder of the Puerto Rican statehood movement
Antonio R. Barceló, lawyer, businessman and politician
Félix Benítez Rexach, architect and engineer
Salvador Brau, journalist, poet and historian
Norma Candal, actress
Gilberto Concepción de Gracia, politician, founder of the Puerto Rican Independence Party
Rafael Cordero, known as "The Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico".
Tony Croatto, Italian-Puerto Rican folk singer, composer and television presenter
Tite Curet Alonso, composer
Conchita Dapena, former First Lady of Puerto Rico
José de Diego, poet, lawyer and liberal politician
Manuel Fernandez Juncos, Spanish writer, poet, journalist, writer of Puerto Rican national anthem
José Ferrer, Academy Award-winning actor and director
Miguel Ferrer, actor, José Ferrer's son
Pedro Flores, composer
José Gautier Benítez, poet
Rafael Hernández, composer and musician
Victoria Hernández, music entrepreneur and musician
Santiago Iglesias, former Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Tito Lara, composer and musician
Lolita Lebrón, nationalist leader
Muna Lee, writer and first wife of Luis Muñoz Marín
Gilberto Monroig, singer
Samuel R. Quiñones, politician
Evaristo Ribera Chevremont, poet
Ramón Rivero (Diplo), actor and comedian
Ángel Rivero Méndez, soldier, writer, journalist and businessman credited with inventing "Kola Champagne"
Pedro Salinas, Spanish poet
Luis Sánchez Morales, politician
Miguel Ángel Suárez, actor
Salvador Tió Montes de Oca, writer, poet, journalist
Rafael Tufiño, painter and graphic artist