Abandoned Cemetery

As in the case of several other cemeteries in Brussels, the Dieweg Cemetery was created following the terrible epidemic of cholera that hit the city in 1866. Due to its rapid saturation caused by the closing of two other cemeteries and population growth, authorities decided to open a new cemetery in 1945 leading to the full decommissioning of the Dieweg in 1958. Certainly one of the most unusual places of Brussels, you will find here an unexpected combination of gravestones, funeral statues and mausoleums all slowly getting overrun by luxuriant undergrowth conveying it a romantic atmosphere. Some sections of the cemetery with its lush flora and fauna gives you the impression of being and explorer discovering the remains of some ancient civilization. Famous Belgian figures of the end of the 19th century up until WW2 such as: Hergé, Paul Hankar, Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar and Charles Woeste were buried here.

Location of Cimetière du Dieweg:

Photos of Cimetière du Dieweg:

Natures tight grip

Together for eternity

Remnants of some ancient civilization?

One of the many paths running across the cemetery

Slow but certain mummification of tombs

Dissapearing

Harry Potter look-alike

A special waver was granted in 1983 for Georges Remi alias Hergé, the famous creator of the Adventures of Tintin, to be buried here.

Grave of violinist Philippe Hirshhorn winner of the 1967 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium.

Natures tentacles