Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Evita At Rest at Last

With only a few days left before Halloween, perhaps it’s appropriate to take a walk though  the famous cemetery,  La Recoleta in Buenos Aires.   La Recoleta is a fashionable  neighborhood with tree lined streets, boutiques, restaurants and French style buildings.    It is also the place of burial of the rich and famous.



  The most visited of the tombs in La Recoleta is that of Eva Peron.

 
 But she did not always rest here.  Her history after her death is a strange one.  When she died, her husband, Juan Peron was  president of Argentina.  He planned to bury her under a grand statue which was to honor the poor.   Before it could be constructed , poor Juan was overthrown in a coup d’ etat and fled  into exile.





The anti-Peron military wanted no part of the Peron name  in Argentina, so after moving her remains around from place to place for a couple of years, they sent her remains into hiding, under an assumed name, in Milan.  Later, she was moved to Madrid to be near her widower.





Another change in government brought Peron  out of exile returning  him to Argentina and the Presidency.   One would think that he would continue with the monument, but it was not to be. Poor Evita was left in Madrid.




After his death, Peron’s third wife sent for Evita’s remains and had her buried along side her husband in the Presidential  palace. 
They rested together only two years when another coup occurred .  Juan’s remains were moved to his family crypt, which was later broken into and his hands  cut off.   

 Evita was moved to her family crypt in La Recoleta Cemetery over 20 years after her death in  1952.  This did not set well with the upper crust as they objected to her being a illegitimate child.   She was  securely buried 27 feet deep under concrete and steel to prevent vandals from breaking in.  She rests in the most expensive real estate in Buenos Aires.



(Note the cobwebs on the upper nameplate.)





The cemetery is vast, with row after row of tombs and is home to hundreds of stray cats.






Hope your will join us for Potpourri Friday!



Until next time, Honey

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22 comments:

  1. Honey, This was absolutely fascinating!
    Yvonne

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  2. Honey, This was absolutely fascinating!
    Yvonne

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  3. That's so interesting story! Beautiful pictures too!

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  4. Your pictures are beautiful! The story is fascinating too! Thank you for sharing it! Wow, all the stray cats! Sad!

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  5. What a gorgeous cemetery The Recoleta, I've been to Bs. As. a few times, so I am glad Evita is in her home town where they love her til now. Thanks for sharing this fabulous photographs. FABBY

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  6. That is so very fascinating. All the cats lying about oblivious to the famous person below them is so funny.

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  7. What a bizarre history. She seems secure now. Isn't the statuary amazing?

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  8. What elaborate tombstones and cemetary. Very beautiful.

    Danielle

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  9. We spent the better part of an afternoon in this cemetery, and enjoyed every moment. It's such a peaceful, beautiful place.

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  10. J'aime beaucoup l'image du chat couché sur la tombe...

    Pierre

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  11. Had no idea ... thanks for sharing this story.
    beautiful photos

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  12. That's a beautiful cemetary. I never knew this story about Eva Peron. It's interesting yet kinda sad. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Wow, what a story! Thanks for the info and beautiful pictures! I'll be back for PF!!! XO, Pinky

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  14. I have never seen that movie where Madonna play Evita ? I think that's the movie?

    very interesting and sad

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  15. Very interesting story. Love learning new bits of history. Thank you for posting.

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  16. Hi lovely lady.
    Your photos of the cemetery are gorgeous sweet lady.. How old is this??? I hope you are having a great day...
    XXOO Diane

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  17. Beautiful photos. How sad all those stray cats too :(

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  18. What an interesting and beautiful post! I love cemeteries and find them so interesting. I can't imagine going through such fancy ones! Beautiful pictures!!

    Donna

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  19. What a fascinating story! I knew none of it. Love the gorgeous pictures, too!!

    XO,
    Jane

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  20. Wow, I had no idea. Mayhap she can rest in peace now!

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  21. Just found your blog and stumbled over this post. How in the world did you get those photos? Evita's tomb is usually covered several feet deep in either direction with flowers and wreaths. When I was there it was impossible to take such great photos of the nameplates.

    I'm glad to see the kitties are still making their home in La Recoleta!

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  22. Honey -- do not know how I missed this post. It was facinating for sure. Poor Evita having such a hard time finding a resting place. The photos are stunningly beautiful -- loved the cobwebs :)

    Blessings!
    Gail

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Comments make me giddy!

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