Early darkness traps visitors inside Salzburg cemetery

Early winter darkness and earlier closing times are leaving visitors trapped inside Salzburg’s municipal cemetery, ORF reports. Emergency services are repeatedly called to help people who lose their way among its roughly 23,000 graves and crypts or find the gates locked.

After special opening hours end, city cemeteries close at 5 p.m. in November. Verena Wengler, head of Bestattung Salzburg, said the cemetery is so large that people can lose their bearings as darkness falls quickly in autumn.

Police, firefighters or staff on call from Bestattung Salzburg respond to reports and search for people, some of whom are frightened. Wengler said a phone call is enough to have someone come and let them out. The assistance is free, and no one has had to spend the night inside.