Bonaventure Cemetery sits on the Wilmington River outside Savannah’s Historic District, where live oaks draped in Spanish moss shade ornate tombs and sculpted memorials. Walk the curved roads to see marble carvings, mausoleums and graves of Savannah figures including poet Conrad Aiken and lyricist Johnny Mercer. The grounds are peaceful and spacious, with river views at the edge of the cemetery. Explore on foot with a self-guided app or join a guided tour for stories about the people buried here.
A cemetery shaped as a garden
Bonaventure Cemetery is on a bluff above the Wilmington River, east of Savannah’s Historic District. Its roads curve beneath live oaks, with Spanish moss hanging over graves, statues and family mausoleums. The grounds combine a natural landscape with elaborate funerary art, from carved marble markers to large monuments and burial vaults.
The cemetery began as part of the Bonaventure plantation. The land became a private cemetery in 1846 and a public cemetery in 1907. Its name comes from the Italian for “good fortune.” The Victorian-era layout reflects a time when cemeteries were designed as places to walk among trees, lawns and memorials.
Notable graves and memorials
Among those buried at Bonaventure are Savannah-born lyricist Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken. Aiken’s grave is marked by a bench-style monument. The cemetery also holds Little Gracie Watson, who died of pneumonia at age six. Her lifelike statue was sculpted from a photograph, and visitors leave small toys and keepsakes by the iron fence around her grave.
Bonaventure is closely associated with John Berendt’s novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The Bird Girl statue that appeared on the book’s cover has since moved to the Telfair Museums; it is no longer in the cemetery. There are many other sculptures and headstones to see as you walk.
Exploring the grounds
You can wander among the monuments independently or take a guided tour to hear more about the people buried here and the cemetery’s history. A self-guided app is another option for exploring the historic section at your own pace. The grounds are extensive, so allow time to follow the roads and look closely at the memorials rather than expecting to see everything on a quick walk.
Bonaventure is an active cemetery and a place of remembrance. Keep to the paths and treat graves and memorials with care. The free parking near the entrance makes it practical to leave your car and explore on foot. In mid-afternoon, sunlight can fall across the granite gravestones; in spring, azaleas add colour along the roads.
Häufige Fragen
Is Bonaventure Cemetery free to visit?
The cemetery grounds are free to enter. Guided tours and the self-guided app may have a cost.
Can you explore Bonaventure Cemetery without a guide?
Yes. You can walk through the grounds on your own, and a self-guided app is available for the historic section.
Who is buried at Bonaventure Cemetery?
Notable people buried there include lyricist Johnny Mercer and poet Conrad Aiken. Little Gracie Watson is also buried in the cemetery.
How long should you spend at Bonaventure Cemetery?
Allow a few hours to walk the extensive grounds and see the monuments at a relaxed pace.
