Sphinx & Munich's Waldfriedhof

At Munich's Waldfriedhof, which according to Wikipedia is considered to be the first woodland cemetery, two sphinx statues are guarding the main entrance. The collage above is a combination of two photos -- one of them was a happy accident, as Bob Ross might have said ("We don't have mistakes here, we just have happy accidents.") I wanted to take a photo of these tree blossoms, ...

... but first forgot to shut off the flash, ending up with the image below, my "happy accident."

In combination with the sphinx photo I created the collage at the top of the post -- and I really like the result. Conclusion: Never delete a "bad" photo right away -- you never know if it might prove to be a happy accident.

Here's another photo of the sphinx statue...

... and a close-up of her head.

Naturally, there are many trees in a woodland cemetery. I especially like this one with the eye.

The cemetery has an enchanted atmosphere with its many old tombstones and monuments.

You even find whimsical statues which make you curious about the lives of those resting in the grave. I googled Clarita Bernhard -- she was part of Munich's town council, mainly devoting her work to school issues and problems of the handicapped as well as single parents. I took the photos below last year in August.

I like how St. Mary infolds the people with her cape which is hold by angels.

The Waldfriedhof (forest cemetery) is really a woodland cemetery resembling a park. The light falling through the trees is magical and gives a sense of peace and serenity.

The Eye of Providence on a tombstone.

This statue of St. Mary and baby Jesus is very detailled and hauntingly beautiful.

An eagle.

One of the most interesting graves at Munich's Waldfriedhof is the one of author Michael Ende. His probably best-known book is The Neverending Story ("Die unendliche Geschichte"). Another great book is Momo -- and a character from Momo is the turtoise Cassiopeia on whose shell words appear to communicate with the girl Momo. Habe keine Angst -- have no fear.

If you know the book (or movie) The Neverending Story, you also know how the book's fictional world somehow becomes reality -- and this unicorn tombstone perfectly translates that.

Another view of Cassiopeia walking over the book with Michael Ende's birth and death dates.

The memorial candle holder is special, too -- stone books form a shelter to hold the candle. The book cover shows AURYN, the mystical talisman from The Neverending Story.

Here's a view of the grave as a whole. It so well represents this man who brought so much joy into the life of readers worldwide.