A vision for the future of Bratislava's cemeteries as places of remembrance and quality public spaces with recreational and biodiversity functions. The project brief emerged through dialogue and in collaboration with the Bratislava City Chief Architect's Office, Marianum – City of Bratislava Funeral Services, the Bratislava Metropolitan Institute, and the project team, as a response to a long-deferred urban problem – the approaching shortage of burial plots for in-ground interment. The analytical part of the project examined the current capacity of Bratislava's cemeteries and projected demand for burial plots up to 2050. The results show that Bratislava, even with the planned expansions of existing cemeteries, will need a new large cemetery with a minimum capacity of 15,000 burial plots within the next 10–15 years.
The Rača location is characterised by rocky bedrock, a historical viticulture context, and the immediate proximity of the protected landscape area of the Little Carpathians. For the establishment of a cemetery designated for in-ground interment, it is necessary to model the terrain and create terraces at this location. Given the challenging conditions, it is essential to consider the cemetery not only as a place of final rest, but as a quality public space with commemorative, recreational and biodiversity functions. The conceptual study demonstrates the potential for creating a modern landscape cemetery that respects the natural and urban conditions of the site, offering accompanying functions, services, and viewpoints over Bratislava and the Little Carpathians. The result is a place that serves not only for remembrance, but also for quiet recreation, walks and observation of the landscape, wildlife and birds.
