Cemetery Schoonselhof

Antwerp, Belgium

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Schoonselhof Cemetery in Antwerp, Belgium, is a large and historic park-like cemetery established in 1911 on the grounds of a former castle estate.

It officially became a public cemetery in 1921, with its first burial dating to 1914 during World War I. Covering 85 hectares, the cemetery is known for its beautiful tree-lined lanes, lawns, ponds, and diverse flora and fauna, giving it the feel of a peaceful city park.

It is the final resting place for many notable figures, including artists, musicians, writers, and politicians such as Hendrik Conscience and Peter Benoit, with impressive funerary sculptures and monuments created by prominent regional artists. Schoonselhof also contains dedicated military burial grounds with thousands of Commonwealth war graves from both World Wars, including soldiers from various allied nations, with a separate British soldiers’ section marked by orderly rows of white gravestones.

The cemetery reflects a blend of historical, cultural, and natural heritage, making it a significant landmark in Antwerp.