Laeken Cemetery — Local services in Brussels

Laeken Cemetery: A Silent Museum Beneath and Above Ground.

Laeken Cemetery, often called the “Belgian Père Lachaise,” is one of Brussels’ most evocative and historically rich burial grounds. Located beside the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, it is the final resting place of many notable Belgian figures, artists, and aristocrats. The cemetery is renowned for its melancholic sculptures, neo-Gothic mausoleums, and even an original bronze cast of Rodin’s The Thinker. What truly sets Laeken apart is its underground burial gallery, a 300-meter-long network of subterranean chambers built in the late 19th century to accommodate the growing demand for burial space. Inspired by Southern European cemeteries, these galleries allow for multiple burials stacked vertically, creating a unique architectural and emotional experience. Though parts of the gallery have been closed due to deterioration, restoration efforts have preserved its historical significance. Walking through Laeken Cemetery is like stepping into a quiet museum of funerary art—above and below ground. It’s a place for reflection, history, and...

While walking around doing touristy things we stumbled upon this beautiful cemetery.

The area is a very nice and calm, the church in front of the cemetery provides a lot of parking space so if you are driving you will not have problems to park around here.

The cemetery is pretty large and has amazing tombstone art all around, some of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

I am not aware of any famous person who is buried there but I think that the art and the catacombs are such a high point here and coming in even not having a celebrity to visit is not an issue since theres so much beauty here.

We went to the catacombs and they are amazing.

There is no way for me to describe and make justice to what I saw at this cemetery, but if you are also a fan of tombstone art like me you must come over and take a look at some of the most amazing art.

Make time to also enjoy some food at the restaurant right outside of the cemetery, be aware that in this area they mostly speak French so enjoy and feel...

It feels strange to say but i 100% recommend a visit to this cemetery during your stay in brussels. It is best coupled with your visit to the atomium !

In this area you find by far the most beautiful cemetery i have ever seen right besides one of the most beautiful churches in europe !

The graveyard is filled with very meaningful melancholic statues around or on graves. The feelings you get when walking through the place is unmatched and incomparable to anything you have ever felt !

You can easily spend 2 hours in here if you really wish to take your time !

Don’t forget to get to the underground crypts/catacomb ! It is huge and also unique!

Entrance is free, car parking is free, public toilets are free… it is just a perfect stop.

I recommend coming during a time where a visit inside the chruch is possible, usually in the...