Kerkhof van Laken

Few people know that the cemetery of Laeken is one of the oldest and most artistic cemeteries in Belgium, and that a vast network of catacombs is hidden beneath the deceptively quiet terrain. Walking through this place is like moving through time: grave monuments reveal forgotten symbolism that tells us about the way earlier generations dealt with life, death and remembrance. In the 19th century, mourning was a social event, full of shared rituals and carefully designed memorial sites — a world that contrasts sharply with the individual, subdued grave culture of today. You walk past the graves of historical figures such as Joseph Poelaert, designer of the Palace of Justice, Marie Poppelin, pioneer of women's rights and Emile Bockstael, the last mayor of Laeken. Artists such as Fernand Khnopff, Alphonse Balat, architect of Koninklijke Serres, and celebrities such as opera singer La Malibran found their final resting place here. Their graves are not only memories, but also works of art in themselves — carried out by the hand of sculptors and architects who helped shape funerary art in Brussels. Every grave tells a story, from personal tragedy to social status. During a guided tour you will discover not only these masterpieces, but also the underground catacombs, a rare and impressive structure that is hardly found elsewhere in Belgium. It is not for nothing that this cemetery is sometimes called “Père Lachaise van Brussel”: the wealth of art, stories and emotions is overwhelming. Our guide brings the hidden layers, symbolism and architecture to life — and ensures that you leave this special place with completely different eyes.