Memorial Ecumenical Necropolis: The Vertical Cemetery Where Pelé Is Buried

Most football fans wonder at the cemetery cum edifice where King of football, Pele was laid to rest – Memorial Ecumenical Necropolis, Santos, Brazil.

Memorial Ecumenical Necropolis is the highest cemetery in the world with 16,000 tombs spread over 14 floors.

The football legend is said to have chosen to be buried on the ninth floor of the building in honour of his late father, Dodinho, who wore the number nine in his playing career.

Pelé, who scored more than 1,000 goals in his career, died from cancer on December 29, aged 82.

Memorial Necropole Ecumenica is the first vertical cemetery in Latin America and was built in 1983.

Designed by Argentine businessman Pepe Altstut, it was conceived to solve a problem of burials having to be held in muddy conditions due to the groundwater in the region.

The 14-floor high cemetery has a tropical garden, a 24-hour restaurant, and even a classic car museum.