Abandoned asylum cemetery

[Rogrund]

Just outside the small town in the south of Sweden where I live there is an abandoned cemetery that once served a mental hospital. Over 2,000 patients were buried there between 1895 and 1951. Only a few of them were honoured with a headstone, most of them got a small iron sign with a hospital case number and no name.

In summer the graveyard is covered with long grass, but if you go there in winter or early spring you can see that a few visitors still leave flowers or candles on some of the graves. It is a sad and beautiful place.

 

[Phothomas]

What a beautiful and sad place... Don´t you think it would be good to go there when it rains oder when a little snow covers the signs and crosses? I think that would be closer to the feelings than sunshine. But never the less, you shot beautiful pictures. Could be a great series.

Thomas

 

[Rogrund]

Thank you Thomas!

I agree about winter perhaps being a better season. I will probably return there when time comes.

 

[paulfish4570]

beautiful, yearning photographs ...

 

[MCTuomey]

Beautiful and sad, indeed. And somehow profound, that the mentally ill should rest nameless in such a simple and lovely place.

 

[Rogrund]

Paul and Mike, thanks for your comments!

 

[mynikonf2]

...what is more sad is the fact that these human beings still remain nameless! In these "enlightened times" one would think that the surrounding community would see to it that these individuals would at least receive their graves named. They may have been forgotten in life but make peace with them now while you still have the chance.

 

[fireblade]

.....brill

 

[I Love Film]

Looks crazy.

 

[Jeremy Johns]

great shots, a beautiful and interesting subject.

 

[myM8yogi]

Thanks for posting these. They speak volumes about society's attitude to mental health. Then and now.

Very moving.

 

[paulfish4570]

a small memorial listing the names of the dead would be a nice addition. yet these photographs serve as a memorial, names or not ...