parks of madrid (sort of) - the British Cemetery

The British Government, over its time as the head of a world-wide empire, established many cemeteries in many places for its employees and others not able for whatever reason to be buried in local cemeteries.  In Madrid, for instance, a clerk of the British Embassy in the early 18th century died here and, not being Spanish or Catholic, couldn't be buried in a Spanish cemetery.  The Embassy wouldn't or couldn't send his body back home, so they buried him under a tree in the garden of their rented accommodations, and at midnight at that.  Somewhere around a century and a half later, the British Cemetery of Madrid was opened.

With a shield over the gate, so everybody knows who it belongs to

The first burial was in 1854, with plenty of curious spectators, so the story goes.  The grave stone has Excalibur carved in the top, Arthurian imagery being fashionable at the time.

Many families from outside Spain showed up in the 19th century looking for business opportunities.  Some were quite successful and have nicely kept mausoleums.

Not all stones are so well kept.  Some families have probably died out, or don't know they have members buried here.

Do not cry for me, you who so loved me.  I rest in the Lord and ask him that we be reunited in Heaven

Some stone have nice epitaphs:

"Released from Earthly cares and ties

Beneath this stone a tender husband lies

Short was the warning, quick the summons flew

Ere scarce his weeping friends could bid adieu"

Some are a little odd:

So...the apocalypse has already happened?

"Earthly duties" you say

Being the small cemetery that it is, a quick look could take only 20 minutes.  For the more curious it's easy enough to spend a couple of hours examining stones and enjoying the peacefulness.