With more than 3,500 graves, Schoonselhof is the largest of Antwerp’s cemeteries. Due to the significant number of gorgeous grave stones and monuments it is often referred to as Antwerp’s Père Lachaise.

Our guide, Tamara Engels, PhD in Art History and Archeology, will introduce us to the history of Schoonselhof and help us understand monuments built to commemorate the dead. She will decode the symbols used on these monuments and point out the philosophical and religious diversity in death customs on display in the cemetery.

Where: Krijgsbaan 100, at the intersection with Sint-Bernardsesteenweg, 2660 Hoboken (Antwerp). We will meet at the front gates, near the little, thatched roof building. (Don’t go to the Crematorium, we won’t be there!)

Getting there: Tram 10 runs from Wijnegem to Schoonselhof P&R, which is right across the street from the entrance to the cemetery. From Astrid (Central Station), it is a 30 minute ride. After you get off the tram, cross Sint-Bernardsesteenweg and go onto Krijgsbaan. The entrance to the cemetery is just a few steps down Krijgsbaan.

Time: 1:30 PM. The tour will last 2 hours.

Cost: Members €10; guests €15.

To register: Please sign up with Kathryn Passmore or Sue Van Looy, by Monday October 15^th, providing the attendees’ names. Friends and partners are welcome.

Payment: Transfer the appropriate amount to the ABIW account, mentioning your name(s) and “Schoonselhof”. The deadline for both registration and payment is Monday October 15^th. Receipt of payment confirms your booking.

Notes:   Group size is limited to 25 participants.

Schoonselhof is quite large, so we’ll do a bit of walking/standing. Unfortunately, there aren’t many benches to take a break so you may want to bring a folding chair.

This outing is rain or shine…