Cemetery of Brussels Brussels
In the city of the dead
I’m always vivified strolling in cemeteries (check the Cemetery of Dieweg article) and parks (check the Rood Klooster or Woluwepark article), yet nothing beats a combination of both.
The Cemetery of Brussels is the largest in the Brussels-Capital Region, located in the northeast municipality Evere. Starting at the end of the 18th century onwards, rapid population growth forced dead citizens out of the city centre. That’s why today many cemeteries are to be found on the outskirts.
Opened in 1877, the 400.000 m² Cemetery of Brussels was designed as an English landscape garden. It makes for a park in which to get lost among avenues and cobblestone streets, ramshackle graves and sepulchres, grass and greenery. Funerary art will incite mournful musings not only on your own mortality, but also others': impressive monuments and graveyards for the Waterloo Battle (1815), Belgian Revolution (1830) and Belgian, British, German and Russian World War victims are strewn across the site.
Most ironically, a few eternal tenants in this city of the dead testify to some destructive episodes in Brussels’ architectural history. Politicians Charles de Brouckère’s and Jules Anspach’s names live on in Brussels’ central boulevard, for the construction of which a thousand houses disappeared in the 1870s, and politician Paul 'Manhattan' Vanden Boeynants was responsible for the North district’s demolition in the 1960s.
Fun fact to counter all this gloom: look for Adolphe Quetelet, who coined the Body Mass Index (BMI). That’s right. A mathematician from Belgium - land of chocolate, fries, beer and waffles - invented the BMI.
Find your way with 295 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Brussels
Chez Monsieur Yang
Chinese Hot Pot
You order a bouillon, which can have different bases, meat or veggie options. Add the sauces, what you would like to eat and then the magic happens.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
Piscine Espadon
Splash away
Piscine l'Espadon has three pools; a normal one, a small one for kids and even a mini heated one for babies and toddlers, with slides!
by
Sarah
Filion
CHARDIN
Salty waffles and tasty burgers
The crispiness of the chicken perfectly matched the softness of the freshly made waffle, and the teriyaki sauce was just the “savory” cherry on top.
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
JeanBon
The best of the basics
"JeanBon" Comptoir Gourmand in Brussels offers freshly prepared products that are homemade with love, for your breakfast, lunch and apéritivos at home.
by
Charlotte
Mewis
Café Mercedes
Spanish class
Spanish-souled "Café Mercedes" in Brussels tells the history of its neighborhood through the eyes of its owners who've been here since the '60s...
by
Davy
Verbeke
Joseph Marien Stadium
Art Deco in sport
"Joseph Marien Stadium" in Brussels doesn't look like a stadium - it's another Art Deco building that fascinates me with its long, beautiful facade.
by
Renata
Riva
Altitude 100
Highest point in town
"Altitude 100" in Brussels is a fascinating place in the commune of Forest in Brussels. I like it's a church in the center of a big roundabout!
by
Renata
Riva
To Meli
Greek Delicatessen in Schuman
My favorite is Spanakopita, a buttery & flaky phyllo pastry with a filling of cooked spinach and feta cheese. For dessert I recommend a slice of Bougatsa!
by
Emilia
D'Ettorres
La Boule d'Oro
Brasserie as good as gold
"La Boule d'Oro" is my personal no. 1 brasserie in Brussels. This corner cafe resembles my primary school cafeteria & has excellent Belgian food & beer.
by
Davy
Verbeke
Le Monts des Arts
Magical sunset view
"Le Monts des Arts" is my favorite place in Brussels, as all my friends know already - especially the esplanade at the end of it. Just go at sunset...
by
Renata
Riva
Théâtre l'Improviste
Creative evening ensured
They look at each other and then it starts right away, no time to think, they just do. What I love most is the conversations you have afterward...
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
España Calidade
Authentic Spanish meat
At España Calidade they hang around twenty types of dried ham on big hooks around the store, in between the huge paella pans and spicy peppers.
by
Anna
van Wuijckhuijse
Heading to Brussels?
295 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Brussels?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 295 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves Brussels
Get to know our other Spotters from Brussels
As featured on:
