One of the most popular destinations for travelers in Savannah, Georgia is the breathtaking Bonaventure Cemetery. It has sweeping Spanish moss and tons of magnolia flowers. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day. The cemetery was created in the Victorian style. As a result, it has the aesthetic of an outdoor museum.

This is obvious in the artistic styles of many of the mausoleums. Many resemble works of art rather than tombstones. In true Victorian cemetery fashion, Bonaventure was historically used as a place to picnic and enjoy nature when folks would go there to visit their deceased relatives.

Bonaventure Cemetery: Spooky But Beautiful

All of Savannah seems to be buzzing with a visceral, spooky current. Likewise, that feeling was no different here. Plus, it was interesting to be wowed by the beautiful architecture.

On the other hand, it was difficult not to feel uneasy. I was very aware that thousands of deceased people laid beneath my feet. It was even more disturbing to look into the eyes of many of the human or angelic statues. These figures have been guarding Bonaventure Cemetery for decades.

Bonaventure Cemetery sits on over 100 acres. It features some truly notable residents, including Johnny Mercer. He was an infamous singer, songwriter, and lyricist who co-founded Capitol Records. Additionally, over 1,300 veterans are buried within the cemetery. That number includes many from the Civil War and Spanish-American War.

The grandeur of the cemetery is so stunning that it even appears in literature. The Bird Girl Statue appears on the cover of the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Also popular is the statue of Gracie Watson. Gracie was a six-year-old girl who died suddenly after being photographed in a new Easter outfit. She was the daughter of a hotel manager. However, her notoriously eerie statue has now been removed from her grave. As a result of her fame, foot traffic in the area became too heavy.

It’s Free!

On the second weekend of every month, the Bonaventure Historical Society offers free guided tours of the cemetery. But, if you’re unable to make the tour, you can create your own using the app. Plus, you can also look up specific grave sites that are of your interest.

Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. We went in February and the heat could not have been more oppressive. Roaming around the Bonaventure Cemetery is free of charge. It’s pretty awesome that one of the most highly rated Savannah attractions costs nothing to explore!