Photograph of the funeral of Dominic Guatta superimposed on a gravestone at Wahalla Cemetery
Photograph of the funeral of Dominic Guatta superimposed on a gravestone at Wahalla Cemetery

Walhalla Cemetery

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Local rumour goes – apparently untrue – that the cemetery in Walhalla is so steep that people are buried standing up. With the narrow valley floor given to activities around gold mining and daily life, the steep slope near the end of town was the best practical option available. The old image superimposed on the tombstone was taken in 1970. It shows the funeral of Dominic Guatta, the last recognised goldminer to be buried in Walhalla. His grave was marked by a cross; one of more than 1300 burials within the cemetery, many of which can no longer be found. The earliest recorded burial occurred in 1866, just four years after the discovery of gold in the creek which passes 25 metres below along the valley floor.

Local rumour goes – apparently untrue – that the cemetery in Walhalla is so steep that people are buried standing up. With the narrow valley floor given to activities around gold mining and daily life, the steep slope near the end of town was the best practical option available. The old image superimposed on the tombstone was taken in 1970. It shows the funeral of Dominic Guatta, the last recognised goldminer to be buried in Walhalla. His grave was marked by a cross; one of more than 1300 burials within the cemetery, many of which can no longer be found. The earliest recorded burial occurred in 1866, just four years after the discovery of gold in the creek which passes 25 metres below along the valley floor.