Places of Rest Trivia Quiz

Answer: Iraq

Located near Najaf, Iraq, the Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery is usually recognized as the largest cemetery in the world. This tightly-packed cemetery has been used for over 1,400 years and is believed to contain over five million bodies. The actual city can be seen in the back round, it is much darker in color.

The rest of the area is just a small part of this Islamic cemetery which covers over two sq. miles (5 sq.km).

Answer: Catacomb

Many ancient cities have catacombs. Skeletal remains are often packed in these underground tunnels. They are usually full of twists and turns, and would not be a location that one would want to get lost in. Rome and Paris both have many miles of catacombs under their cities, which can make for an interesting outing while on vacation.

They have been used as smugglers hideouts, secret hiding places for stolen goods, and sometimes by the poor as a place to flee from the cold.

Answer: New Orleans

This photo of a New Orleans, Louisiana cemetery, shows just one aspect of the harm done by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Previous flooding had caused coffins to sometimes float to surface of the low lying lands in the area. This instigated the practice of above ground burials in the city.

These occurrences are not common and have been exaggerated by the media. But, make no doubt that they do happen. The unusual cemeteries of New Orleans are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

Answer: Merry Cemetery

This somewhat bizarre cemetery is known for its colorfully painted tombstones and humorous epitaphs. This is almost a place of celebration of life, instead of a place of mourning. Most tombs depict the person engaged in an activity that enjoyed doing. Some tell the story of how they died, if it was unusual.

Answer: Judaism

This tomb in the Powzki Jewish cemetery in Warsaw the custom of placing a stone on a tomb is very evident. Even when visiting a Jewish grave of someone that the visitor did not know, it is customary to place a small stone on the grave using the left hand.

These stones show that someone visited the gravesite and is also a way to participate in the mitzvah of burial. This sign of respect is found all through Jewish cemeteries. Leaving flowers is not usually a traditional Jewish practice. It also shows that someone is tending the grave.

In Biblical times, headstones were not used, and graves were marked with mounds of stones, or cairn. By replacing these stones the visitor helped to extend the memory of the deceased. This historic cemetery was consecrated in 1790 and is home to many headstones created by the most famous Jewish sculptors of the time.

Answer: Ottawa

This is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, Canada. Many countries have memorial tombs such as this where a brave unidentified soldier lies at rest, guarded by other soldier or guards. These are done to commemorate those men (and women), lost during wartime and never recovered.

These memorials are among the most revered places of rest in the nation. This Canadian memorial contains the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier killed in France in World War I. The tomb itself is part of the larger National War Memorial, which celebrates all soldiers.

Answer: False

This is actually the soldiers' dog cemetery located in Edinburgh Castle. This cemetery is not open to the public and you can only view it from above, so you cannot get close to the interesting headstones tucked away in this private cemetery. Located in a small garden, this cemetery is the final resting place for canine companions of regimental officers.

The love and affection felt for these dogs is evident on the sentimental headstones found at this location. The serene and well-maintained cemetery has been in place since the reign of Queen Victoria around 1840.

Answer: Ossuary

An ossuary is usually defined as a container, receptacle, vault or a building that is used for holding the bones of the dead. The difference between these and other burial places is that the person is usually dug up after he has decayed to skeletal remains as ossuaries hold bones only.

The Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic is a macabre example. This small unremarkable chapel is contains the bones of over 40,000 people. This photo is of the coat of arms of the Schwarzenberg family and is just one example of the chapels décor which is full of decorative art made with human bones.

In the center of the ceiling of the chapel is a huge chandelier which contains at least one of every bone in the human body. There are thousands of bones decorating the walls, buttresses, and many thousands more are contained in large bone vaults.

This church of bones may be one of the more unique places to visit if you are touring Europe.

Answer: There were plans to make a black Taj Mahal.

One of the finest examples of Mughal Architecture, the Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful declarations of love on our planet. It was built by Shah Jahan, the emperor of the Mughal Empire, as a burial place for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The exquisite white marble dome houses the remains of both the Shah and his wife.

It is one of the most recognizable buildings in India. According to legend, it was thought that Shah Jahan planned to build another Taj Mahal in black marble for his own entombment.

It was to be on the other side of the river. This never happened due to the manpower needed being used to fight a war with his sons.

Answer: False

The magnificent pyramids of ancient Egypt are wonder memorials to some of the most powerful leaders of their times. Despite the many intricate precautions taken to stave off grave robbers, all the pyramids were plundered. Some of the Pyramids did not even contain the mummified bodies of the men they were built for.

Despite their size, and the care taken when designing them, greed was a more powerful incentive and most ancient funerary objects were stolen in ancient times.