If you’ve never walked around a cemetery just for the fun, exercise, or beauty of it, you should give it a go.
If you’re in Copenhagen Assistens Kirkegård [Kapelvej 4, 2200 København N, Denmark] is a perfect place to start. There’s nothing creepy about being in a cemetery, it’s simply a beautiful place full of nature. Going for a picnic there used to be a common sight in the 1800s, and many people today walk the paths and relax on the lawns of the largest green space in the middle of Nørrebro. We came in with a mission, to find the grave of Hans Christian Anderson, however upon walking in through the gorgeous tree-lined path, we began to just wander and enjoy the beauty of the place.
The park is meticulously maintained and sights of mixed trees, bushes, and flowers make this feel more like a garden than a cemetery.
The lilacs in full bloom smelled nothing short of heavenly.
There were many generic tombstones about, but there were also a handful of unique tomb-sculptures to take pleasure in.
Our meandering led us from one end of the park to the other, and we finally followed through with our initial mission and headed in the direction of the arrows. The grave wasn’t as monumental as I expected it to be.
It was a simple rectangular tombstone in a nondescript area of the park. Thankfully the charm of this cemetery lured me into its depths and I didn’t beeline towards the grave. If I had, I might have been disappointed. The journey is the destination. This park, or cemetery, is a beautiful place to ramble through, breathe some fresh flower scented air, bird watch, and enjoy life.