The T900 project: A bridge between generations

The T900 project, promoted by the Associazione Amici della Certosa di Bologna, aims to preserve the memory of the Certosa Monumental Cemetery in Bologna through art.

A place of memory

The Certosa Monumental Cemetery, which houses many of the Bologna families of the past, is an architectural work of great artistic and historical value. The tombs found here, true funerary artistic works, are designated MONUMENTUM, in Latin REMEMBRANCE, a place of memory and testimony for future generations.

About the T900 project

The project promoted by the Associazione Amici della Certosa di Bologna, focusing on individual significant tombs from the 20th century, aims to create a bridge between the past, present, and future, and to preserve over time the MEMORY that has been entrusted to us.

Through the active and direct participation of students, members of the Association, and Bologna citizens, a pilot project has come to life, aimed at increasing awareness of a growing number of funerary monuments. T900, conceived and coordinated by architect Francisco Pérez Amitrano, Vice President of the Association, has benefited from the collaboration of the Museo civico del Risorgimento of the Municipality of Bologna.

It has been presented at the Certosa with new itineraries, coinciding with the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries at the end of the school year.

Public presentation and archiving

In 2024, for the second consecutive year, students and teachers from the high school Liceo Artistico F. Arcangeli of Bologna, along with researchers and photographers from the Association, publicly presented their participation in the "Tombs ’900" project: students with graphic drawings and renderings of the tombs, and members with archival research and high-quality photographic documentation.

The collected materials are preserved by the Associazione Amici della Certosa with a dual intent: to build a growing archive for the benefit of the community and to foster in young students the MEMORY of their city.

Schools on Cemeteries

The Associazione Amici della Certosa di Bologna actively participates in the ASCE Schools on Cemeteries project and the T900 project is an excellent example of how to involve schoolchildren and youth in learning and preservation of cultural heritage in cemeteries through art.

WDEC 2023 at the First Cemetery of Athens

Take a guided tour or observe the maintenance process of two bronze statues at the First Cemetery of Athens during the WDEC 2023.

28 May 2023: Spend time, walk, observe, feel, and share knowledge

Following the rhythm of the famous Athens City Festival in May, the City of Athens would like to invite you to a guided tour of the First Cemetery of Athens on 28 May 2023, at 17.30, on which we will explore the history and monuments of the most important Athenian open-air museum.

Located in the heart of Athens, just a 15-minute stroll from the Acropolis, the First Cemetery is open to anyone who wants to walk in a beautiful place full of cypresses and towering pines, majestic romantic and neoclassical sculptures. During a tour we can share knowledge, memories, and stories, and therefore, connect.

You can find more details at https://cityfestival.thisisathens.org/en/outdoor-28-en/.

1 – 4 June 2023: Preserving two female statues, representing great Greek figures of Arts and Letters

Starting from last year, the City of Athens established an annual collaboration with the University of West Attica, performing surface cleaning and maintenance on bronze sculptures during the WDEC. 

Thinking about the theme of WDEC 2023 (mental and physical health and well-being in the cemeteries), we prepared a conservation action for two bronze female sculptures in the central square of the cemetery: that of the actress Marika Kotopouli Tomb and the bust of the scholar Kalliroi Parren.

By talking about their biography and how these personalities are represented in the cemetery, we connect to the arts and letters, theater and witting that keep our memory, minds, and bodies active and contribute to our well-being. 

 The action will take place from 1 to 4 of June. Visitors as well as students will have the opportunity to observe, learn and connect.

Cemetery video

Discover the First Cemetery of Athens also through this promotional video made by the City of Athens / Department of Cultural Heritage.

Contact information:

City of Athens / Department of Cultural Heritage
T: +302103721596, 2103721555
E-mail: t.pol.klironomias@athens.gr

Call For Papers

for the  international symposium organised to debate topical issues on significant historic cemeteries, share best practices and experiences.