A BLURRED LINE BETWEEN THE PRESENT AND THE PAST Story + Photos BRADLEY HAWKS EXPLORE YOUR BORO 22 | BOROMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2013 One of the many bene ts of living in Western Queens rather than Manhattan is the gift of viewing the city from a distance. Whether peeking through skateboarders at Astoria Park, through the arts garden of Socrates Sculpture Park, or from the transfer bridges of Gantry Plaza, Astoria and Long Island City o er some of the most spectacular views of one of the world’s most famous and iconic skylines. Perhaps one of the less obvious, though more poignant of vantage points is from the hallowed grounds of Calvary Cemetery in Woodside. ough both the Bronx- Queens and Long Island Expressways o er stunning overhead views of the burial grounds, an actual visit to Calvary provides a haunting ground level perspective, where the tombstones eerily meet the skyline, the skyscrapers appearing as a distant continuation of the horizon of grave markers. Not only is Calvary one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States—it holds the most graves of any other cemetery in the country, with over 3 million interments. Owned by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and managed by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, it is the posthumous home to numerous Civil War soldiers, mobsters, politicians, and artists. ough the cemetery was established in 1848, the oldest gravestone is dated 1718. An original adult burial plot cost $7, while a child’s plot was $3. Now spanning over 365 acres, Calvary is divided into four distinct divisions containing 71 numbered sections, with several entrances staggered throughout. Full of mausoleums, obelisks, statues, and monuments, Calvary has appeared in various lms, ranging from e Godfather to Zoolander. Visitation is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Mass is held on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m in the St. Calllixtus Chapel which is located in First Calvary (the initial of the four divisions) which can be entered from the corner of Greenpoint Ave. and Gale St. St. Calllixtus Chapel
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