Grave markers stand silently as we gather here at Zhalan Cemetery. This is no ordinary burial ground. Zhalan Cemetery holds stories of cultural exchange. It echoes with faith and resilience.
Zhalan Cemetery is a former Jesuit burial ground in Beijing. Its story begins in the late Ming Dynasty. It was a rare honor for a non-Chinese foreigner to be buried here. The Wanli Emperor granted land to Diego de Pantoja. This allowed for a burial ground for Matteo Ricci. Ricci wished to be buried in Beijing. This recognized the Catholic Church’s status in the Empire.
Matteo Ricci was buried here in November 1611. Other Jesuits joined him in the following years. Johann Adam Schall von Bell obtained permission to extend the cemetery in 1654. He too was buried here in 1666.
The cemetery faced challenges. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, it was vandalized. Bones were dispersed. Restoration occurred later, as stipulated by the Boxer Protocol. A church dedicated to Mary was erected nearby. It was named Maweigou Church.
During the mid-1950s, many tombstones were moved. They went to the Xibeiwang area of Beijing. A Communist Party school was established on the grounds. The tombstones of Ricci, Schall von Bell, and Verbiest were kept. They were preserved due to their historical significance.
The Cultural Revolution brought renewed threats. Red Guards aimed to destroy the tombstones. A staff member of the party school intervened. They persuaded the Red Guards to bury them. This ensured their preservation. The Maweigou Church was demolished in 1974.
In the late 1970s, Deng Xiaoping approved the restoration. The tombstones of Ricci, Schall von Bell, and Verbiest were re-erected. They stood once again in their believed original locations. Sixty additional original tombstones were re-erected in 1984.
Look closely at the tombstones. They uniquely combine Western and Chinese features. Each is topped by a dragon. The dragon frames the christogram of the Society of Jesus. Texts appear in both Latin and Chinese.
Many prominent missionaries and scholars are buried here. They include Johann Schreck and Giacomo Rho. Nicolò Longobardo and Gabriel de Magalhães also rest here. Ferdinand Verbiest is among them.
Zhalan Cemetery has hosted foreign dignitaries. Jean-Luc Dehaene and Valéry Giscard d’Estaing visited. Sergio Mattarella and Giorgio Napolitano also came. These visits underscore its continued significance.
Consider the historical weight of this place. Zhalan Cemetery stands as a testament to cultural exchange. It survived desecration and political upheaval. It remains a place of reflection and remembrance. The cemetery connects China and the West. It reminds us of those who dedicated their lives here.