New Orleans is very famous for many exciting things: it's fine diverse food, more than fantastic local music, diverse culture and unique antique shops and of course it's beautiful hand crafted cemeteries. . . New Orleans is located well below sea level, the dead are buried in above-ground tombs or vaults. These tombs, which can resemble small architectural buildings, have earned the New Orleans' cemeteries the grand nickname, " The Cities Of The Dead." Located on the edge of the haunted French Quarter in New Orleans, the oldest still serviced cemetery, Saint Louis Cemetery #1. This site is often the setting for many Haunted New Orleans films and movies notably 'Easy Rider', 'Interview with the Vampire', "Johnny Handsome" and many more... Another, and the most certain reason people flock to this particular Haunted New Orleans Cemetery location is because it is the actual reported burial site, and resting place of The legendary Grande Voodoo Queen of all times, Marie Laveau. MORE ON NEW ORLEANS CEMETERIES http://www.hauntedneworleanstours.com/cemeteries/citiesofthedead/ Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau is buried here : Her daughter, Marie Deux, followed in her mother's sinister Vodoun Santeria footsteps is said to be buried not to far away in St. Louis Cemetery #2. They were not content to dabble in the Voodoo love charms and Santeria gris-gris magic of lesser New Orleans Voodoo queens. Their personal Zombi Brand Voodoo repertoire included custom spell and root working magic that shook the city, political corruption, sexual intrigue, murder and brothel management. Wealthy young Creole gentlemen could make political contacts, hurry a robust wealthy relative to their death and wallow in the fleshly pleasures of beautiful quadroons -- all at the Maries' Maison Blanche on North Rampart street. New Orleans voodoo Legend says when at the Voodoo Queens white washed tomb to awaken Marie Laveaus Powerful Voodoo Magic, one should: Knock three times( to wake the dead) upon the face of Marie Laveaus' tomb. Mark the tomb with XXX in chalk or brick, knock three times again then make your wish . Then you must leave an offering. You'll find Marie Laveau the mother buried in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where her X crossed tomb is daily bedecked with tributes to her secret Societies powers still exist today. These voodoo tributes are from the faithful -- they leave flowers, money and food, Zombi Brand candles and The" Most Secret" of all of Marie Laveaus' Voodoo magic arsenal a strange handmade curio of reported great power known as the sacred 'Monkey and The Cock'. All in return for the Marie Leaveaus' special ghostly voodoo blessing and help from beyond the grave, her particular voodoo expertise help in all affairs of the heart. Marie Laveaus and Marie Laveau II (her daughter) 'ghosts are said to actually haunt New Orleans to this day, floating down St. Ann Street from Bourbon Street, dressed in long white robes, or so it has been said quite often .. Practicing still in death more Voodoo Hoodoo, Her secret Society still sells Voodoo Blessed Magic candles, magical oils, Love potions and Gris- Gris bags and Hex removal charms. . Monkey and Cock found at the foot of Marie Laveaus' tomb. And if you happen to see a small Voodoo good luck statue of a Monkey and Cock at your feet take it for it is meant for you! This particular magical Voodoo blessed statue is the core strength of Marie Laveaus Secret Society today . The Monkey and the Cock are the most powerful Voodoo Hoodoo charm, for immediate hex removal, and a reported wish granter, that the local Marie Laveaus Voodoo Society has to offer. It's Great Voodoo (Vodoun, Santeria) magical powers are said to be traced from Marie Laveaus' personal never revealed secrets. It's Voodoo ritual has been handed down through the generations only to her Secret Vodoun Society members. They are ritually prepared and carved on only certain days of the month and year. Bianca The Reigning Voodoo Queen of New Orleans can be seen daily rain or shine at the tomb of Marie Laveau. Carefully cleaning it, sweeping away the daily offerings, blessing it and maintains it's magic for the public as to honoring her ever living Spirit. Bianca is a dedicated Voudon devotee to Marie Laveau, she states that St. Louis No.1 cemetery is haunted by more then just the spirit and ghost of the known and unknown origins." "Be careful when you visit this Cemetery she warns." Everyday it is a new Adventure into the unknown!" She states Quite firmly. " I to will be buried here too one day, not far from my eternal Queen Mother Marie Laveau." "Yes my burial arrangements have been made I bought a family tomb here ." Bianca states with a deep loving teary eyed stare. "The beauty of this New Orleans haunted cemetery, it's real haunted mystery are all part of what has made this ghost filled Cemetery the most haunted Cemetery in the entire United States." "I to will be a spirit, a wisp, a ghost that haunts St. Louis Cemetery #1, one day." And I plan to be the Ghost that protects the living that honor Marie Laveau, that is my eternal pledge!" Many locals still say, "God bless her zombie bones"! MARIE LAVEAU PAGES FOR YOU TO VISIT: MARIE LAVEAU VOODOO QUEEN ( Here for more.) Real Marie Laveau Tomb Ghost Pictures A MIDSUMMER CELEBRATION IN HONOR OF MADAME MARIE LAVEAU A HAUNTED NEW ORLEANS TOURS EXCLUSIVE!! (Here for more.) MARIE LAVEAU STORIES OF OLD NEW ORLEANS (HERE) XXX MARKS THE SPOT: DEDICATION OR DESECRATION? CALLING ON THE QUEEN OF THE CITY OF THE DEAD ( Here) MARIE LAVEAUS' HOUSE OF VOODOO (Here for more.) Marie Laveau and the Devil Baby of Bourbon Street ( Find out more here.) Expert Uncovers Birth Record of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau (Learn more here.) More on Marie Laveau can be found in (Guiley, R.E. 'The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits.' Roundhouse Publishing Ltd., 1992) St. Louis Number 1 New Orleans Cemetery is the mother cemetery ... the Vieux Carré of the dead; as confused and closely packed a quarter as the living metropolis ... Grace King, 1895 City of the Dead The history of buildings, people and cultural traditions at the cemetery provides many interesting facts. Early travelers referred to this as a 'City of the Dead' because the density of tombs reminded them of the urban city just outside the gates. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 was never intended to be experienced as a place of derelict tombs. However, over time, the cemetery, like many such sites, has become defined by, and admired for, its picturesque decay, as well as its mortuary architecture. Indeed, much of its past and current appeal is tied to this aspect of age. Weathering and age are essential components of the site, and there will always be differences in opinion as to the division between historical character and tombs in poor, unsatisfactory condition. A combination of environmental