Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Taktsang Lhakhang, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest”.
Bhutan • 11 days, 10 nights
Festivals & Temples of Bhutan
from
Macchu Picchu
Peru • 10 days, 9 nights
Peru: Machu Picchu & the Last Incan Bridges
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The sign declares this the number-one gumbo shop in town.
Gumbo Hut Shioya
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Hungary Szatmárcseke Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery

Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery

Hundreds of boat-shaped headstones fill this graveyard as part of a centuries-old custom with mysterious origins.

Szatmárcseke, Hungary

Added By
Andrasta
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery.   Andrasta / Atlas Obscura User
Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery.   Andrasta / Atlas Obscura User
Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery.   Andrasta / Atlas Obscura User
Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery.   Andrasta / Atlas Obscura User
Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery.   Andrasta / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Szatmárcseke is a small village in Hungary, located close to the border with Ukraine. It contains a rather peculiar cemetery, where nearly all the approximately 600 grave markers are carved from dark oak in the shape of upturned boats bearing human-like faces.

The roots of this centuries-old tradition are a mystery. One theory is that the boats symbolize an old belief about death being part of a journey. Another theory is that dead bodies were once floated to their burial sites on vessels which were subsequently up-ended, carved, and used as headstones.

Despite the tradition’s murky history, the practice is still carried on today. Residents of the village consider the markers an important part of their culture and customs.

Before a local dies, he or she picks a tree that will one day be felled to form his or her own marker. The residents also leave specific instructions with their chosen woodworker. The boat-shaped pieces of wood must meet a strict set of criteria: They must be made of oak, be between about five feet and 6.5 feet high, and face west.

Some of the oldest boat markers are located in a separate area which was once reserved for Romani Hungarians and the victims of suicide. The cemetery also contains the marble tombs of the Kölcsey family, including that of Ferenc Kölcsey, a Hungarian poet and politician who wrote the country’s national anthem and died in the village in 1838.

Related Tags

Cemeteries Graveyards Gravestones Boats Death Graves

Know Before You Go

Szatmárcseke is a peaceful and friendly village located in a fairly remote spot that's easy enough to drive to. The cemetery is located to the rear of the Calvinist Church. A local woodcarver who lives close to the cemetery sells small hand-carved models of the grave markers as souvenirs.

Community Contributors

Added By

Andrasta

Published

December 5, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.szatmarilegendak.hu/latnivalok/szatmarcseke_eng.htm
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=vnAqDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT637&lpg=PT637&dq=Szatm%C3%A1rcseke+calvinist+cemetery&source=bl&ots=pC4EQePyRN&sig=SMLCdfxMOICkNM4LYtuTpEp0QJ4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjsxOeIofHXAhUm94MKHQ7DBtUQ6AEIQDAI#v=onepage&q=Szatm%C3%A1rcseke%20calvinist%20cemetery&f=false
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=vX5bdR1BlccC&pg=PA512&lpg=PA512&dq=Szatm%C3%A1rcseke+calvinist+cemetery&source=bl&ots=NFJsDEtLnP&sig=vsTkefCukyzPbE8nWqPPfkF2aNI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjsxOeIofHXAhUm94MKHQ7DBtUQ6AEIPTAH#v=onepage&q=Szatm%C3%A1rcseke%20calvinist%20cemetery&f=false
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=81kPyXxxqLwC&pg=PA315&lpg=PA315&dq=Szatm%C3%A1rcseke+calvinist+cemetery&source=bl&ots=20vbRFc9gF&sig=Wwkl4Mp4I5QJNZrbjnEYB7QSH3k&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiar5D3ofHXAhXp6oMKHZfkBYU4ChDoAQgrMAE#v=onepage&q=Szatm%C3%A1rcseke%20calvinist%20cemetery&f=false
Szatmárcseke Calvinist Cemetery
14 Táncsics u.
Szatmárcseke
Hungary
48.088328, 22.632544
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Palatul Administrativ in Satu Mare

Satu Mare, Romania

miles away

Zemplén Archives

Sátoraljaújhely, Hungary

miles away

The Merry Cemetery

Săpânța, Romania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hungary

Hungary

Europe

Places 104
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Palatul Administrativ in Satu Mare

Satu Mare, Romania

miles away

Zemplén Archives

Sátoraljaújhely, Hungary

miles away

The Merry Cemetery

Săpânța, Romania

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hungary

Hungary

Europe

Places 104
Stories 2

Related Places

  • Framingham, Massachusetts

    Graves of John Cloyce & Abraham Rice

    In 1777, two men were killed after being struck by lightning at the same time.

  • A beautiful tomb.

    Aguascalientes, Mexico

    Los Ángeles and La Cruz Graveyards

    Legends, sculptures, and unique tombs can be seen lurking in these connected cemeteries.

  • Victoria, British Columbia

    Ross Bay Cemetery

    This stately Victorian-era burial ground overlooking the Pacific Ocean is home to the graves of some of British Columbia's most famous figures.

  • The backside of the grave, which features the fudge recipe.

    Logan, Utah

    'Kay's Fudge' Gravestone

    Kay Andrews's recipe was so good, her family immortalized it in stone.

  • Two foam-green crypts with planters.

    Oaxaca, Mexico

    Panteón General (General Cemetery)

    This graveyard boasts a medley of diverse and imaginative funeral architecture.

  • The grave of Florence Irene Ford.

    Natchez, Mississippi

    Grave of Florence Irene Ford

    Florence’s mother built a stairway down to her daughter’s coffin so she could comfort her during storms.

  • B. P. Roberts’ tombstone.

    Key West, Florida

    Key West Cemetery

    The island residents are known for taking their quirky sense of humor with them to the grave.

  • Grave of the unidentified S.S. Valencia victims.

    Seattle, Washington

    Mount Pleasant Cemetery

    This graveyard contains markers and monuments dedicated to some of the darkest chapters in Washington's history.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.