Tombs and monuments that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the oldest cemetery in Rijeka, Croatia.
History of Kozala Cemetery
The first ground for the Kozala Cemetery was bought already in 1771. In the next 150 years, the cemetery was extended several times and its quick development prompted considerations on how to develop and extend it more systematically. Around 1924, the Kozala Cemetery was given its final planimetric shape and at that time it also reached its maximum possible ground extension.
Today, Kozala Cemetery is of an elongated kidney-like form, made of two almost oval surfaces with the main transversal alley at the point of their contact. The main alley leads to the opposite side of the oval karst valley where the cemetery is situated, towards the oldest group of family vaults built in the fifties and the sixties of the nineteenth century. The oldest half of the cemetery, composed of three larger parts, is situated on the right from the entrance, while on the left from the entrance there is the western half of the cemetery, also composed of three parts.
Kozala Cemetery as a cultural monument
Many significant names from Rijeka history are buried at the Kozala Cemetery, often in tombs of valuable architectural stylistic features. Besides that, the cemetery is recognisable for its exceptionally well integrated cypresses, which mark its landscape architecture.
Taking into account the historic and artistic importance of the cemetery as whole, on 10th October 2001, Kozala Cemetery gained the status of cultural monument and made part of the preventively protected cultural monuments of the country of Croatia. Furthermore, Kozala Municipal Board (KD Kozala) is a full member of Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe (ASCE) since 2004 and a member of European Cemeteries route.