“Who rests here?” That is the question that lingers as we stand at the entrance of Begraafplaats Duin en Bosch. This historical cemetery whispers stories of lives intertwined with the nearby Provinciaal Ziekenhuis Duin en Bosch. It was a psychiatric institution.
Begraafplaats Duin en Bosch is located near Castricum. It is also close to visitors center De Hoep. This cemetery is a designated national monument. It has been carefully restored by PWN. This was done in cooperation with Stichting Werkgroep Oud Castricum and Stichting Alkmaardermeer en omgeving.
Between 1909 and 1963, around 1800 individuals found their final resting place here. These were patients, staff members and their families. Society’s rigid class structure extended even into death. The cemetery was divided into zones reflecting these social standings. The first class was reserved for senior staff and officials. The second class was for other personnel. Only staff residing on the premises or in official residences and their families could be buried here. The third class was for patients.
The first medical director Jan Willem Jacobi and his young deceased son are also buried here. Jacobi’s grave is easily identified by a short obelisk. His son’s grave lies just behind. Begraafplaats Duin en Bosch had both a general and a Roman Catholic section. The Catholic area makes up one-fourth of the grounds. It is still recognizable by a small hill called the Calvarieberg. A cross with Jesus once stood on it.
The cemetery fell into disrepair after its closure in the 1960s. The grounds and paths subsided. The historic cross on the Calvarieberg was vandalized and lost. PWN took over management in 2018. They restored the cemetery with contractor Fa. A. Sneekes & Zn. / Vermaire Breezand.
A highlight of the restoration is the return of the cross to the Calvarieberg. In early 2023, a similar cross was found in Belgium. It was purchased and refurbished. Now, it stands proudly once more. After thorough garden-historical research, so-called columnar hornbeams were planted. Their shape is identical to the elms that once stood here.
All the paths have been straightened and semi-paved. This makes them more accessible. People with disabilities can now easily visit the cemetery. Sustainable materials were chosen for the restoration. The path’s paving uses a sustainably sourced raw material. This material is durable. The sand from the work was used elsewhere in the dune area. It was used for path maintenance.
The cemetery is a short walk from visitors center De Hoep. PWN organizes regular excursions with a forester when the visitor center opens on April 20. The forester shares insights about this special place during the tour.
Begraafplaats Duin en Bosch offers a serene space to reflect. It shows the past. It also shows the respect for those who lived and worked at the Provinciaal Ziekenhuis. It is a place where history and nature intertwine. The stories of this unique location are preserved for generations.