Visiting grave sites of the long gone but not forgotten celebrities is a pastime indulged in by many tourists. There seems to be some kind of odd pleasure they derive from spending time at these sites and paying homage to heroes of yesteryear.
In no particular order, here are ten of the most popular grave sites in the world:
1. Marilyn Monroe:
She died a tragic death at a very young age in 1962 and left behind many forlorn fans Even 47 years later her grave is a much visited place and it is believed that her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio sent roses to this crypt thrice a week for the next twenty years. A much publicized auction was held for the space above her crypt and the bidding went up to $ 4.6 million.
2. Elvis Presley:
The King of Rock was originally buried in a mausoleum at the Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis. However due to an attempt by vandals to steal his mortal remains, they moved his mortal remains to his home at Graceland. Over 600,000 people visit his grave every year as part of the tour of Graceland.
3. Frank Sinatra:
Buried with a bottle of jack Daniels and a pack of Camel cigarettes, his two faithful companions over the years, Frank Sinatra’s final resting place lies in Palm Spring, California. The lines carved over his gravestone are “The best is yet to come” – words from one of his memorable songs.
4. Princess Diana:
The Spencer family estate at Althorp has become the final resting place of the world’s most photographed woman. Situated at an island in the centre of a lake known as Round Oval, no one is allowed to get close to the grave. However twice a year in July and early September visitors are permitted to go up to the shrine near the island.
5. Shakespeare:
One of the world’s best known playwrights, Shakespeare paid for his and his family’s gravesite in Stratford-Upon-Avon with the princely sum of 440 pounds. His legacy of great literature has made this one of the world’s most visited grave sites.
6. Jim Morrison:
One of rock’s most talented musicians and one who had tremendous influence on rock music, Jim Morrison is buried at the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Even though he is buried in the august company of celebrities such as Edith Piaf and Oscar Wilde, his grave is the most visited site at this famous cemetery.
7. Mark Twain:
175 years after his birth, Samuel L Clemens, better known as Mark Twain attracts over 3000 visitors to his grave every year. Buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira New York, 2010 marks the 125th anniversary of the publication of his book Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
8. Bruce Lee:
The supreme master of martial arts and a kung-fu exponent beyond compare, Bruce Lee’s grave in Seattle’s Lakeview cemetery draws visitors from all over the world. Even 40 years later the mystery of the cause of his death remains unsolved.
9. Bob Marley:
Since he died in 1981, the Jamaican government commemorates his birthday by holding one heck of a party near his gravesite. An expensive mausoleum was built over his grave, and it also marks the site of an annual reggae music festival.
10. Johnny Cash:
Johnny Cash was buried next to his wife June Carter in Tennessee, and their graves are marked by simple tombstones. Even though it is not as popular as the graves of other singers, yet there is a steady stream of visitors who come to visit this spot.
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