Panteón de Dolores explained

Panteón de Dolores
Established:1875
Country:Mexico
Location:Miguel Hidalgo borough, Mexico City
Type:Closed (1975)
Graves:700,000
Interments:over 1 million

The Panteón Civil de Dolores is the largest cemetery in Mexico and contains the Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres (English: Circle of Illustrious Persons). It is located on Avenida Constituyentes in the Miguel Hidalgo borough of Mexico City, between sections two and three of Chapultepec Park.[1]

History

The history of the cemetery goes back to 1870, when Juan Manuel Benfield—owner of El Rancho de Coscoacoaco (his wife was Concepción Gayosso y Mugarrieta, sister of Eusebio Gayosso)—set aside an area of his ranch measuring, called La Tabla de Dolores, on which he intended to establish a cemetery. In 1875, the cemetery was opened and named El Panteón Civil de Dolores. Juan Manuel Benfield founded the cemetery in honor of his sister, who died in Veracruz shortly after she had arrived from London, England with their parents. As they were Anglicans, and all cemeteries in Veracruz were consecrated for use only by Roman Catholics, the only suitable burial ground to be had was on the beach. Today, the cemetery has about 700,000 tombs, many with multiple occupants.[2]

The Rotunda of Illustrious Persons

The Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Persons) is a site that honors those who are considered to have exalted the civic, national and human values of Mexico. It contains the graves of those who have made important contributions in the military, civic and cultural fields.[3] Originally named “The Rotunda of Illustrious Men” (Rotonda de los Hombres Ilustres), it was conceived by then President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada as a space to perpetuate the memory of chosen men. The decree reads, “In this place of honor, the necessary land will be given free of charge to erect the monuments designed to guard the remains of or perpetuate the memory of the illustrious men who are decreed or for whom posthumous honors are decreed.”

In 1876, the first person to be honored with a burial there was a soldier by the name of Pedro Litechipia, who died fighting against the empire of Maximilian.[3] By decree of President Vicente Fox, in 2003, the name was changed to “Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres” (“Rotunda of Distinguished Persons”, rather than ‘men’) as the Rotunda has a number of female occupants.[3] The Rotunda contains the graves of three former presidents, many heroes from the Mexican Revolution, writers, artists and scientists.[2] The National General Archive shows 104 images of those buried there.[3]

Problems

Generally considered the largest cemetery in Latin America,[4] the most serious problem at the cemetery is limited space. No new grave sites have been established since 1975, and only those individuals who have purchased a site in-perpetuity, prior to 1977, can bury relatives in the cemetery; however, the remains must be stacked above those who are already interred. Municipal laws permit a maximum of five bodies to be buried in the same plot, yet some tombs may have as many as ten buried on top of each other.[2]

The cemetery is working to encourage the acceptance and practice of cremation as an acceptable alternative. The crowded cemetery, along with the desires of many to be interred there, has created a higher demand for exhumations as well as cremation services. The cemetery has four crematoria, averaging about four cremations daily. However, an average of ten traditional burials are still performed each day, all in graves that have been used previously.[2]

The cemetery is listed with National Institute of Anthropology and History as an historical monument, due to the many iconic persons interred there and the old age of the property.[5] However, this status has not kept the cemetery in good repair. There are problems with maintenance as well as security. In the back part of the cemetery, in a gully, workers have discarded old caskets and urns that are considered unusable. Those who work in the cemetery bear witness or can attest to graverobbing for artistic and archaeologically-significant pieces.[4]

In January 2009, a section of the original south-side retaining wall that was built in the 19th century crumbled and fell, damaging a number of graves in the process. This section was over 1 km long and 4 meters high.[5] Rehabilitation work had been scheduled for September 2008, at a cost of 10 million pesos, with a focus of making the cemetery more dignified for visitors, including the remodeling of the main entrance on Constituyentes Avenue.[4]

Notable people interred at the Panteón Dolores

The following is the list of people currently interred at the Rotunda of Illustrious Persons:[6]

NameOccupationBirthplaceYear of birth & deathDate interred
David Alfaro SiqueirosmuralistChihuahua1896–1974Jan 8, 1974
Ignacio Manuel Altamiranolawyer, novelist, diplomatGuerrero1834–1893Nov 14, 1934
Tina Modottiphotographer, activistFriuli, Italy1896–1942
Juan Álvarezinterim presidentGuerrero1790–1867Dec 27, 1922
Eligio Ancona del Castilloauthor, playwright, governorYucatán1835–1893Apr 13, 1903
Agustín Aragón Leóneducator, deputyMorelos1870–1954Mar 31, 1954
Mariano Arista Nuezpresident, military leaderSan Luis Potosí1802–1855Oct 8, 1881
Ponciano Arriagagovernor, lawyerSan Luis Potosí1811–1863Jun 22, 1900
Manuel Azpirozmilitary leader, diplomatPuebla1836–1905Apr 24, 1905
Mariano Azuelaauthor, physicianJalisco1873–1952Mar 2, 1952
Joaquín Barandajurist, deputyYucatán1840–1909Jun 29, 1981
Gabino BarredaeducatorPuebla1818–1881Jan 22, 1968
Felipe Berriozábalmilitary leader, governorZacatecas1829–1900Jan 12, 1900
Calixto Bravo Villasomilitary leaderGuerrero1790–1878Apr 7, 1878
Valentín Camparailway union leader and presidential candidateMonterrey1904–1999Nov 25, 2019
Emilio Carranza RodríguezaviatorCoahuila1905–1928Jul 24, 1928
Nabor Carrillo FloresscientistMexico City1911–1967Jan 28, 1975
Julián Carrillomusician, composerSan Luis Potosí1875–1965Jan 28, 1975
Alfonso Casoarchaeologist, anthropologistMexico City1896–1970Jan 7, 1974
Antonio Casoauthor, philosopherMexico City1883–1946Dec 19, 1963
Rosario Castellanosauthor, teacher, diplomatMexico City1925–1974Aug 9, 1974
Heberto Castillosocial leader, engineer, politicianVeracruz1928–1997Apr 5, 2004
José Cevallos Cepedamilitary leader, governorDurango1831–1893Apr 22, 1893
Francisco Javier Clavijerohistorian, teacherVeracruz1731–1787Aug 6, 1970
Diódoro Corellamilitary leaderSonora1838–1876Jun 17, 1876
Carlos Chávezmusician, composerMexico City1899–1978Aug 3, 1978
Ignacio Chávezphysician, scientistMichoacán1897–1979Feb 26, 1997
Santos Degolladomilitary leader, politicianGuanajuato1811–1861Nov 26, 1936
Francisco Díaz Covarrubiasengineer, scientist, diplomatVeracruz1833–1889Oct 29, 1921
Salvador Díaz Mirónpoet, politician, journalistVeracruz1853–1928Jun 16, 1928
Mariano Escobedomilitary leader, politicianNuevo León1826–1902May 24, 1902
Genaro Estradahistorian, politicianSinaloa1887–1937Oct 3, 1977
Virginia Fábregasstage actressMorelos1872–1950Nov 18, 1950
Ricardo Flores Magónjournalist, anarchistOaxaca1874–1922May 1, 1945
Juan José de la Garzagovernor, jurist, military leaderTamaulipas1826–1893Oct 18, 1893
Emma GodoyauthorGuanajuato1918–1989Nov 28, 2006
Valentín Gómez Faríasdeputy, physician, presidentJalisco1781–1858Jul 3, 1933
Manuel Gómez MorínideologistChihuahua1897–1972Feb 27, 2004
Manuel González Florespresident, military leaderTamaulipas1833–1893May 11, 1893
Francisco González Bocanegrapoet, authorSan Luis Potosí1824–1861Sep 27, 1932
Amalia Gonzalez Caballerodiplomat, cabinet minister, minister plenipotentiary and writerTamaulipas1898–1986Nov 22, 2012
Enrique González Martínezauthor, diplomatJalisco1871–1952Feb 20, 1952
Jesús González Ortegamilitary leader, governorZacatecas1822–1881Apr 1, 1881
Donato Guerramilitary leaderJalisco1832–1876May 27, 1896
Guillermo HaroastronomerMexico City1913–1988Aug 6, 1994
José María Iglesiaspresident, juristMexico City1823–1891Jan 29, 1987
María IzquierdopainterJalisco1902–1955Nov 22, 2012
Agustín Laramusician, composerVeracruz1900–1970Nov 9, 1970
María Lavalle Urbinamagistrate, senator, rights activistCampeche1908–1996Nov 28, 2006
Sebastián Lerdo de Tejadapresident, lawyer, politicianVeracruz1823–1889May 14, 1889
Pedro Letechipíamilitary leaderZacatecas1832–1876Mar 21, 1876
Vicente Lombardo Toledanopolitician, ideologistPuebla1894–1968Jul 16, 1994
Ramón López VelardepoetZacatecas1888–1921Jun 15, 1963
Francisco Martínez de la Vegajournalist, governorSan Luis Potosí1909–1985Aug 6, 1994
José María Matamilitary leader, diplomatVeracruz1819–1895Mar 16, 1900
Juan A. Mateosauthor, politicianMexico City1831–1813Dic 30, 1913
Ignacio Mejíamilitary leader, politicianOaxaca1814–1906Jun 27, 1914
Juan N. Méndezpresident, military leaderPuebla1820–1894Dec 3, 1894
Jose Pablo Moncayopianist, percussionist, music teacher, composer and conductorJalisco1912–1958Nov 22, 2012
Francisco Montes de Ocamilitary physicianMexico City1837–1885May 18, 1885
José María Luis Morapolitician, historianGuanajuato1794–1850Jun 24, 1963
Gerardo Murillo, "Dr. Atl"muralistJalisco1875–1964Aug 16, 1964
Miguel Negretemilitary leader, ministerPuebla1824–1897May 5, 1948
Amado Nervopoet, journalist, diplomatNayarit1870–1919Nov 14, 1919
Jaime Nunómusician, composerCatalonia, Spain1824–1908Oct 11, 1942
Edmundo O'Gormanwriter, historian and philosopherMexico City1906–1995Nov 22, 2012
Juan O'Gormanmuralist, architectMexico City1905–1982Nov 11, 1982
Melchor Ocampopolitician, lawyerMichoacán1814–1861Jun 3, 1897
Isaac Ochotorenabiologist, educatorPuebla1885–1950Apr 12, 1950
Pedro Ogazón Rubiogovernor, politicianJalisco1824–1890May 3, 1890
José Clemente OrozcomuralistJalisco1883–1949Sep 8, 1949
Manuel José Othónpoet, playwright, deputySan Luis Potosí1858–1906Jun 14, 1964
Carlos Pachecomilitary leader, politicianChihuahua1839–1891Sep 19, 1891
Carlos Pellicerpoet, curatorTabasco1899–1977Mar 31, 1977
Manuel de la Peña y Peñapresident, juristMexico City1789–1850Jan 2, 1895
Ángela Peraltaopera singer, composerMexico City1845–1883Apr 17, 1937
Basilio Pérez Gallardopolitician, authorZacatecas1817–1889Feb 6, 1889
José María Pino Suárezvice president, author, politicianTabasco1869–1913Nov 6, 1986
Manuel M. Poncemusician, composerZacatecas1886–1948Oct 4, 1952
Guillermo Prietopolitician, authorMexico City1818–1897Mar 4, 1897
Bernardo QuintanaengineerMexico City1919–1984Oct 20, 2005
Ignacio Ramírez, "El Nigromante"politician, journalist, authorGuanajuato1818–1879Oct 7, 1934
Rafael Ramírez CastañedaeducatorVeracruz1885–1959Mar 23, 1976
Carlos Ramírez UlloaengineerJalisco1903–1980Aug 14, 1981
Miguel Ramos Arizpepolitician, priestCoahuila1775–1843Jun 29, 1974
Silvestre Revueltasmusician, composerDurango1899–1940Mar 23, 1976
Jesús Reyes Herolesideologist, historian, politicianVeracruz1921–1985Mar 5, 2003
Alfonso Reyesauthor, diplomatNuevo León1889–1959Dec 28, 1959
Dolores del RíoactressDurango1905–1983Nov 28, 2006
Vicente Riva Palacioauthor, historian, politicianMexico City1832–1896May 20, 1936
Diego Riveramuralist, painterGuanajuato1886–1957Nov 26, 1957
Sóstenes Rochamilitary leaderGuanajuato1831–1897April 1, 1897
Antonio Rosalesmilitary leader, poet, journalistZacatecas1822–1865Jan 5, 1923
Juventino Rosasmusician, composerGuanajuato1868–1894Jan 5, 1923
Arturo Rosenbluethphysician, researcherChihuahua1900–1970Jan 7, 1974
Carlos RovirosaaviatorTabasco1904–1930May 24, 1930
Miguel Ruelaslawyer, diplomatZacatecas1838–1880Oct 30, 1881
Moisés SáenzeducatorNuevo León1888–1941Jun 29, 1981
Pedro Sainz de Barandamilitary leaderCampeche1787–1845Mar 13, 1987
Rosendo Salazarideologist, workerPuebla1888–1971Dec 19, 1971
Manuel Sandoval Vallartaphysicist, researcherMexico City1899–1977Oct 5, 1988
Maj. Basilio San Martinmilitary leaderToluca1849–1905Oct 9, 1905
Col. Vicente San Martinmilitary leaderToluca1839–1901Apr 15, 1901
Francisco SarabiaaviatorDurango1900–1939Jun 11, 1939
Pablo SidaraviatorZaragoza, Spain1895–1930May 24, 1930
Justo Sierrahistorian, politician, poetCampeche1848–1912Nov 5, 1946
Jesús Silva Herzogeconomist, sociologist, teacherSan Luis Potosí1893–1985Nov 14, 1988
José Juan Tabladadiplomat, authorMexico City1871–1945Nov 5, 1946
Jaime Torres Bodetpoet, diplomatMexico City1902–1974May 14, 1974
Gregorio Torres Quinteroeducator, short story authorColima1866–1934Jun 29, 1981
Luis G. Urbinapoet, journalistMexico City1864–1934Dec 13, 1934
Francisco L. Urquizorevolutionary general, historianCoahuila1891–1969Aug 6, 1994
Jesús Uruetapolitician, journalistChihuahua1867–1920Mar 29, 1921
Basilio Vadilloeducator, diplomat, politicianJalisco1885–1935Nov 5, 1935
Ignacio L. Vallartagovernor, jurist, politicianJalisco1830–1893Jan 10, 1894
Leandro Vallemilitary leaderMexico City1833–1861Jun 18, 1987
Felipe Villanuevamusician, composerState of Mexico1862–1893Aug 27, 1945
Agustín Yáñezgovernor, author, politicianJalisco1904–1980Jan 18, 1980

See also

References

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Notes and References

  1. Book: Noble , John . Lonely Planet Mexico City. 2000. Lonely Planet Publications. Oakland, CA. 1-86450-087-5 .
  2. Tegel . Simeon . 1 December 2002. Crowd control. (Trade Talk).(Panteon Civil de Dolores cemetery runs out of space, Mexico City, Mexico)(Brief Article) . Latin Trade . 2009-05-28 .
  3. Web site: Rotunda de las Personas Ilustres . 2009-05-28.
  4. Robles . Johana . 25 August 2008. 'Revivirá panteón Dolores . El Universal . es . 2009-05-28 .
  5. Prieto Soldevilla . Alain de J. . 9 February 2009. En riesgo panteón catalogado por el INAH. CNN Expansion.com . es . 2009-05-28 .
  6. All the information in the list can be found at the Official web page of the Rotonda de las Personas Ilustres (in Spanish).

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