Can you feel the echoes of Hungary’s past resonating around us? We are standing before Kerepesi Cemetery. It is more than just a graveyard. This is a national pantheon. It is also Budapest’s largest outdoor statue park. Some even call Kerepesi the Pére Lachaise of Budapest.
Founded in 1847, Kerepesi Cemetery quickly became a significant burial ground. Its location is in outer Józsefváros. That’s near Keleti pályaudvar. You can even reach it easily via Metro line 2. It became the final resting place for Hungary’s most notable figures. Statesmen writers and artists all found their eternal home here.
In 1885 the municipal authorities declared Kerepesi a “ground of honour”. This encouraged the creation of ornate tombs and mausoleums. The first notable burial was Mihály Vörösmarty in 1855. His tomb is one of the oldest here.
Interestingly many tombs were moved here from other cemeteries until the 1940s. Poet Attila József’s tomb is here. However, this is his fourth resting place.
But Kerepesi’s history isn’t without its dark chapters. In 1952 the cemetery closed for new burials. World War II damaged it badly. But there were also political reasons. The Communist government wanted to downplay the graves of those who had “exploited the working class”.
There was even a plan to build housing here. In 1953 part of the grounds was handed over to a rubber factory. That section was sadly destroyed.
In 1958 the Mausoleum for the Labour movement was created. During the Communist era this was the only part of Kerepesi highlighted by authorities. After the fall of communism some still considered Kerepesi a Communist cemetery. Béla Bartók’s son even forbade his father’s ashes from being interred here.
Despite its turbulent past Kerepesi remains open to the public today. While burials are no longer permitted its extended parks offer a place for reflection. The cemetery is also home to special sections. In 1874 a parcel was designated for those denied a church funeral. This included those who committed suicide and those executed.
Don’t miss the arcades. They were built between 1908 and 1911. They recall the style of Northern Italian cemeteries. The artists’ sector created in 1929 contains the tombs of notable Hungarian artists.
Kerepesi houses the mausoleums of three leading Hungarian statesmen. They are Lajos Batthyány Ferenc Deák and Lajos Kossuth. Also the mausoleum of Ábrahám Ganz. He was an iron-foundry pioneer. Miklós Ybl designed this in 1868.
Among the many interments are notable figures like Endre Ady the poet and József Antall the Prime Minister. You’ll also find the graves of János Arany Mihály Babits and Lujza Blaha. Even the Nobel Prize winner George de Hevesy rests here.
Take a moment to appreciate the artistry and history surrounding us. Kerepesi Cemetery is a powerful reminder of Hungary’s rich past. It is also a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.