Tervuren Communal Cemetery

Tervuren Communal Cemetery (Begraafplaats van Tervuren) sits along the Duisburgsesteenweg, roughly a kilometre southeast of the town centre and its Church of St. John the Evangelist. Covering close to 19,200 m², it has served as the main burial ground for the municipality of Tervuren, in the Flemish Brabant province, for well over a century.

How did the cemetery come about?

In 1912 the Tervuren municipal council decided to establish a new cemetery, acquiring land in the area known as Kisteveld from the Stolberg family. The layout was designed by architect Colle, but the outbreak of the First World War delayed construction, so the first burials only took place in 1918. The grounds were later extended toward the northwest as the local population grew.

What does the layout look like?

The oldest section forms a roughly rectangular plot enclosed by a brick wall topped with stone-capped pillars finished with decorative sloped mortar ridging. A cross-shaped network of paths divides this original part into four sections, meeting at a bluestone Calvary cross in the centre. This symmetrical cruciform design was a common feature of early-20th-century Belgian municipal cemeteries and gives the site an orderly, contemplative atmosphere.

Who is buried here?

Graves of veterans and casualties from both world wars line the main path. Against the southwestern wall lies the grave of Henry van de Velde, one of the most influential figures of Belgian Art Nouveau and modernist design. Nearby rest two other respected architects, Albert Van Huffel and Raphaël Verwilghen (1885–1963). The cemetery also holds the graves of notable public figures, including BRT director Bert Leysen (1920–1959) and writer Valeer Van Kerckhoven (1919–1982).

A particularly notable section holds the graves of two British soldiers from the Second World War — Captain Robert Kemp Dunbar and driver Frederick John Phipps — marked with the distinctive Portland stone headstones used by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Commission maintains this part of the cemetery, while the site as a whole remains under municipal management.

Is it a protected heritage site?

Yes. The cemetery holds official status as established architectural heritage (vastgesteld bouwkundig erfgoed). An earlier designation was in force from 30 September 2010 until 8 October 2021, when the current, renewed protection took effect. The listing recognises the historical value of the brick perimeter wall, the original path layout, and the surviving early-20th-century grave markers.

Who should visit?

Tervuren Communal Cemetery appeals to visitors interested in architectural history, thanks to Henry van de Velde's grave, as well as to those tracing military history through the region's world war heritage. It also offers a quiet, reflective stop for visitors exploring nearby attractions such as the Royal Museum for Central Africa and Tervuren Park, adding a lesser-known but genuine layer to the local story.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the cemetery located? Along the Duisburgsesteenweg, about 1 km southeast of Tervuren's town centre.

When was the cemetery founded? The municipal council decided to establish it in 1912, though the first burials did not take place until 1918 because of the First World War.

Who is buried there? Notable graves include architect Henry van de Velde, architects Albert Van Huffel and Raphaël Verwilghen, and two British soldiers from the Second World War.

Is the cemetery a protected monument? Yes, it has held official architectural heritage status since 2021, following an earlier designation dating back to 2010.