This community high in the Dolomites has the most beautiful cemetery I have ever seen. Each grave is surrounded by a small, wrought iron fence, has an iron crucifix and small pot of water with pine bough laying in the water. Many have glass lanterns with candles inside.
The day I visited, church volunteers were planting flowers, pulling weeds, watering and caring for each gravesite. Family members stopped by, too, dipped water from the vessel and blessed their loved one's grave. It was very touching.
The cemetery is located behind the church with the Dolomites as a backdrop. An alcove at the rear of the cemetery is dedicated to the men who died in WWI and WWII and has a mural of a soldier and family members mourning those who died in those wars. This part of Italy belonged to Austria but was ceded to Italy at the end of WWI. The people here still speak German and educate their children in that language. All signs are in Italian and German.
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