In between stuffing our faces full of po boys, cajun grilled oysters, muffalettas, and of course drinking from open containers as we cruised the streets, we also took part in the New Orleans Fringe Fest, visited the sculpture museum at NOMA, and explored the traditional above ground cemeteries at the St. Roch Chapel and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest Roman Catholic cemetery in New Orleans, consisting of above ground vaults that were constructed mostly in the 18th century. Many notable people are buried here including the first mayor of New Orleans, voodoo priestess Marie Laveau (maybe), and some time in the future, Nic Cage.
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Above ground tombs in the tradition of the French and Spanish as well as
for countering a low water table. |
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| Vaults. |
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| A sugar cane offering. |
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| The presumed tomb of renowned Priestess Marie Laveau. |
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| Superstition has it that when you visit Marie's tomb, you draw three X's and make a wish. |
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| Nic Cage's pyramidal future final resting place. |
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| Offerings. |
The St. Roch Cemetery and Chapel (for which the surrounding neighborhood got its name) is famous for it's supposed healing qualities. That's right, inside there is a small and slightly creepy altar to the Saint famous for his miraculous cures, where people have left their old prostheses, glass eyes, and many notes of thanks.
Up next: Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve, aka, Bayou Time!
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