A person dressed in a suit with skull face paint tips their hat in a graveyard with a dramatic cloudy sky in the background.
This image features a collection of above-ground tombs and mausoleums with ornate crosses on a sunny day, characteristic of a historic cemetery often found in places with high water tables, like New Orleans.
The image features a historic cemetery with above-ground tombs and grave markers under a clear blue sky.

St. Patrick Cemetery No.2 in New Orleans, LA

5000 Canal St New Orleans, LA 70119
The following tours visit St. Patrick Cemetery No.2:
New Orleans BYOB Cemetery Insiders Tour Photo
4/30/2024 - 12/31/2024
New Orleans is a city with a rich and fascinating history, and one of the most unique sights to see is the elaborate above-ground tombs in the city's oldest cemeteries.
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Nestled within the Old World charm of New Orleans, Louisiana, lies the intriguing and historic St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2, a point of interest that whispers tales of centuries past. Most famously known as a classic example of New Orleans' traditional above-ground cemeteries, it appeals to those with a fascination for history, architecture, and cultural nuances. Located on Canal Street, near the iconic French Quarter, it is a top destination for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and lovers of the mysterious allure of the city that care forgot.

Established in 1841, St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 spans 19.3 acres and stands as a testament to New Orleans' rich and multicultural history. Famous for its unique approach to burial practices due to the city's high water table, the cemetery exhibits a plethora of intricate and distinctive above-ground vaults and mausoleums. It is divided into three sections, each echoing the voices of different eras and their unique cultures.

Stepping into St. Patrick's Cemetery No. 2, you are enveloped in a serene silence that unveils a mosaic of New Orleans' history represented by the architectural elegance of the tombs. The cemetery showcases a variety of architectural styles, from simple, unadorned family vaults to ostentatious Greek Revival, Gothic, and Moorish-style mausoleums. The cemetery's older section, adorned with weathered statues and Celtic crosses, harks back to the city's European immigrants' grandeur and their cultural legacy.

The largest section is an impressive lawn featuring war memorials, including the significant Irish Channel Hibernian memorial, a tribute to Irish immigrants who lost their lives during the Yellow Fever pandemic. What makes this cemetery special is its All Saints Mausoleum, which hosts individual niches for the cremated ashes of loved ones, adorned with beautiful stained glass.

St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 is an invaluable cultural archive that embraces death with dignity, artistic prowess, and a profound respect for history. Its architectural splendor, historic richness, and the intricate stories etched into its tombs make it a compelling stop for anyone visiting New Orleans. It is a silent guardian of memories, a monument to life's transience, and an emblem of a city built on resiliency and vibrant diversity. Traversing its paths will leave you with a deepened appreciation for the past, a contemplative understanding of mortality, and a poignant experience that blends the historical with the mystical in the heart of one of America's most captivating cities.

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