Hornitos is located in the Sierra foothills near Mariposa/Merced, California. A near ghost town now, it continues to attract photographers from all over the world.
There are a few links below that will tell you about the town's interesting history. Famed outlaw Murrieta is said to have lived here, and Ghiradelli Chocolate, now located in San Francisco, got its start here.
The town's most interesting photographic attractions to me are its little church on top of the hill, and its cemetary, located directly behind the church. Twice a year the building is open to the public: April 15th, which is St Catherine's Day, and November 2nd, All Souls Day.
Photos are from the candle light ceremony November 2nd 2004, and the afternoon of the ceremony:
At 6 PM people gather in the village square, each holding a burning candle. In rows of 2, they march up the hill, their path being illuminated further by luminaras on either side of the road. Its quite a sight, seeing 100 or so candles march up the hill. Candle light is visible on all the graves, and that along with all the candles held by people, it is quite a sight!
There is a short ceremony at the grave of Dona Candelaria, who started this tradition. Following that, people are invited into the church for mass. Afterward visitors may stop at the stag hall for chili, hot dogs, desert, and coffee provided by the Hornitos Patrons Club .
Even if you are not Catholic, or even if you are not Christian, this is still a nice way to honor the dead. Its quite spiritual and reflective.
Click on pages of interest below,
or take the tour of all pages by clicking on the "Next" button.
Hornitos Cemetery
Graves
St Katherine's Church
Candle Light Ceremony
References
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