Cementerio de la Chacarita
About
El Cementerio de la Chacarita (The Chacarita Cemetery) is best known as the final resting place for many well-known tango legends, including Carlos Gardel. Located within the neighborhood of Chacarita, it is about a 20-minute journey from downtown Buenos Aires.
Chacarita Cemetery came about due to the huge yellow fever epidemic in the 1870s. At the time, the Cemetery of Recoleta did not allow those who had died of the epidemic to be buried on their premises. Therefore, La Chacarita Cemetery was founded on public land as a place for mass burial. During this period, hundreds of bodies were buried daily, causing very unsanitary conditions, which eventually forced the closure of the cemetery in 1875. In 1887, the new cemetery of Chacarita was established.
Why Visit Chacarita Cemetery?
The grandeur of Chacarita Cemetery and its detailed sculptures are impressive and well worth a visit. Parts of its huge walls have built-in compartments housing coffins. There is also an expanse of expensive mausoleums and tombs that align numbered streets.
Chacarita Cemetery is not as widely known as Recoleta Cemetery, but many popular local figures are laid to rest here, including entertainers and artists like Benito Quinquela Martin. Within a small square in the cemetery, you will find a number of graves of famous tango musicians and composers grouped together. Many have elaborate bronze statues depicting them playing a piano or bandoneon.
One of the most visited sites is the tomb of Carlos Gardel. Many visitors light a cigarette and place it in the hand of Gardel's bronze statue, which stands above as a sign of respect. Neighboring Chacarita Cemetery are cemeteries for the German and British communities of Buenos Aires. You can find information on the British Cemetery website.
The Chacarita Cemetery is generally open from 8:00am until 5:00pm.
Did You Know?
Hans Langsdorff, the naval officer in charge of commanding the German World War II battleship, the Graf Spee, during the infamous Battle of River Plate, is buried in the German Cemetery neighboring Chacarita Cemetery.
If you're interested in more popular places to visit in Buenos Aires, take a look at our Best Attractions in Buenos Aires.
How to get to the Chacarita Cemetery:
Subway:
Linea B - Get off at Federico Lacroze Station. The cemetery is opposite.
Bus:
Routes 42, 93, and 111.
To find out more about using public transport in Buenos Aires, including details on buses, subways, trains, taxis, ride-sharing services, and how to obtain and use the SUBE card, visit the Best Way to Get Around Buenos Aires section.
Address:
Guzmán 630 and Federico Lacroze.
