Religious Site· 1833· Garden District

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

National Register of Historic Places

The cemetery that defines the Garden District — a walled city of the dead occupying a full city block at Washington Avenue and Prytania Street. Established in 1833 to serve the American settlers who were building their mansions upriver from the Creole French Quarter, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 holds elaborate raised tombs built by immigrant German and Irish families alongside wealthy Anglo-American merchants. The yellow fever epidemics of the 1850s filled entire society vaults in weeks. Anne Rice set scenes from 'Interview with the Vampire' here. The cemetery reopened after a long restoration; guided tours are available through Save Our Cemeteries.

Quick facts

·Established in 1833 to serve the American settlers building mansions upriver from the Creole French Quarter.
·Occupies a full city block at Washington Avenue and Prytania Street in the Garden District.
·Yellow fever epidemics in the 1850s filled entire society vaults in weeks.
·Anne Rice set scenes from 'Interview with the Vampire' here.
·Reopened after a long restoration; guided tours available through Save Our Cemeteries.
·Free to enter during open hours.