Watch: 5 things that make Calvary Cemetery a beautiful place to visit

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Calvary Cemetery was established in 1872 and eventually grew to 200 acres with more than 75,000 graves.

Its environment of remembrance is created with beautiful structures and landscapes.

Here are five reasons the cemetery at 1625 Calvary Drive is a beautiful place to visit:

Highest view in town

Calvary Cemetery is situated on a ridge with the highest elevation in the city that overlooks Dayton and the Great Miami River to the north and Kettering to the east.

View of the city and the Great Miami River from Calvary Cemetery.  TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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Acres of natural beauty

Calvary has 110 rolling acres that are currently developed with an average of 15 trees on each acre. An additional 90 acres are a forest preserve for future use.

» RELATED: Dayton man buried at Calvary Cemetery survived bomber crash, burns, Gestapo in extraordinary life

Calvary has 110 rolling acres that are currently developed with an average of 15 trees on each acre.  An additional 90 acres are a forest preserve for future use.  TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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Historic memorial chapel

The centerpiece of the cemetery is the St. Henry’s Memorial Chapel, which was named to honor the unclaimed dead from St. Henry’s Cemetery when it relocated to Calvary and was dedicated in 1902.

» READ MORE: Historic cemetery’s new app brings navigation to your phone

St. Henry's Memorial Chapel was dedicated in 1902.  TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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Ashes to ashes, dust to dust

Natural, or green, burials have become a popular way of returning to the Earth. Calvary has responded to popular burial style with the St. Kateri Preserve. Ashes or bodies are prepared with no embalming and are placed in biodegradable containers or shrouds. Graves are marked with field stones or engraved rocks. St. Kateri is the patron saint of the environment and the preserve includes mature trees, walking paths, a lake and a sculpture of St. Kateri.

» MORE SCENES: 5 unique memorials you need to see at historic Woodland Cemetery

St. Kateri Preserve for natural burial at Calvary Cemetery.  TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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Sculpture of St. Kateri, the patron saint of the environment at Calvary Cemetery.  TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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Hidden geometric design

The Stations of the Cross Mausoleum is located next to the wooded preserve on the south side of Calvary. The symmetrical mausoleum design surrounds a circular chapel with open archways. The shape of this mausoleum looks striking from the air.

Stations of the Cross Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery.  TY GREENLEES / STAFF

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