Friedhof Matrei in Osttirol

The cemetery in Matrei in Osttirol stands beside the parish church, protected as a listed monument. It was first mentioned in 1615 when its neglected state and an unconsecrated altar in the ossuary were recorded. Earlier, non-Catholics and unbelievers were buried on the northern side at the so-called ‘Cold Freithöftl’. The site has grown in stages. In 1902 a wall replaced the old wooden fence along the church square. The community took over in 1975 and enlarged the cemetery in 1978. Between 1996 and 1997 another 120 graves and 20 urn plots were added in terraces. Visitors find the old mortuary chapel built by Thomas Mayr between 1785 and 1786. A colourful stained-glass window by Fred Hochschwarzer fills one wall of the new chapel of 1978. The cemetery also holds a cross from the early 19th century, a family tomb by Virgil Rainer, and a war memorial with copper cross, plates and an eagle by Arthur Sigmund.