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 294 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
At Crèmerie Saint-Guidon all the delicacies are personally selected: Brussels salted cheese and the famous ‘pottekees’; large eggs and delicious bread...
by
“The Wild Lab” in Brussels makes perfect vegetarian breakfasts for those lazy mornings…
by
"Chicago Café" is my favorite brunch spot in Brussels! They offer all-day breakfast & brunch and I recommend coming with friends - the portions are huge!
by
"Chez Richard" in Brussels is a truly local bar in a building from the 1890s! The terrace is always packed with good people. Try their 'fricandelle'...
by
"Gare du Midi market" is the famous Sunday morning market in Brussels. There is plenty of choice and prices will start dropping to almost zero at 13:30...
by
Standing in front of what looked like an open garage, a busy wine bar like no other was waiting for me. Looking at it, I was mesmerized...
by
Dishes come with bold and rich flavors, which blend different cultures and cuisines. Our choices fell on some mezze, including a tasty paprika hummus...
by
"Jardin des Sculptures" in Brussels is a little green oasis that forms a perfect combination of nature and arts. A true hidden gem...
by
"Place Sainte-Catherine" is one of Brussels' most characteristic zones, and although tourists love it, locals love it even more for its versatility!
by
"Madame Moustache" is a neo-cabaret in Brussels and my go-to place for drinking and dancing! I love its daytime terrace & and its variety of parties...
by
"Cement Truck" by Wim Delvoye is a unique piece that's a scaled-down model of a cement truck constructed in the Flemish Baroque style. An ode to opposites!
by
294 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 294 Insider Tips