If there is
anywhere in Zakopane where you can feel the spirit of a hundred years ago, it
is at the Old Graveyard. It is plumed with birch trees, and a narrow path winds
its way through the centre. The tombs themselves are very unusual. Many are
crafted from gnarled blocks of wood. It is as if a magician has cast a spell on
a host of tree stumps, and transformed them into enchanted folkloric
sculptures. Many great figures from the arts are buried here, but we chiefly went
because my husbands great great grandparents come from around here, and since I am
now one of the family, we both wanted to visit for the first time. (My Mum is enjoying telling
people we are visiting cemeteries on our honeymoon!) All kinds of artistic
flourishes can be found on the memorials - stout wooden crosses that are enlivened by
florid carving, dreamy sculptures of Christ or the Virgin, the whole ensemble
seems to have grown organically out of the ground, and it could not be further removed from the cold,
rigid geometry of so many Western graveyards - it's a distinctly un depressing
place. And although it was pouring with rain, the colour from the autumn leaves
and all the flowers and candles was enchanting in a very other worldly and
magical way.
