Parc Georges Henri – Georges Henripark

Can you imagine a park built on the grounds of a former cemetery? That’s the story of Parc Georges Henri. This unique park, located in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels, offers a blend of history, recreation, and remembrance. Parc Georges Henri wasn’t always a place for leisurely strolls and picnics. It was once the site of Etterbeek Cemetery, established in 1897. The cemetery served the community for decades, with nearly 45,000 burials taking place between 1898 and 1965. Imagine the stories those tombstones could tell. After the cemetery reached capacity, it relocated to Wezembeek-Oppem in 1965. The former cemetery grounds were slated for development. But thanks to its designation as a green space, the area was preserved and eventually purchased by the Brussels Region in 1985. The transformation of the former cemetery into Parc Georges Henri began. Landscape architects Jean-Noël Capart and Jacques Boulanger-Francais were entrusted with the redesign. They thoughtfully incorporated elements of the old cemetery into the new park. The alignment of chestnut and lime trees was preserved. Old tombstones were repurposed to pave the pathways. The main entrance, marked by two obelisks, also serves as a reminder of the site’s past. Today, Parc Georges Henri is a vibrant community space. It features a large round basin with a powerful water jet, lawns, a skate park, a basketball court, and a playground. You’ll also find a sensory garden, traditional gardens, a fitness trail, and a garden of remembrance. Within this garden, you’ll discover the Jewish Memorial, a poignant reminder of the former Etterbeek Jewish Cemetery. Parc Georges Henri also holds a moving tribute to the victims of Nazi persecution. The Ravensbrück Memorial, a sculpture of a woman and child, honors Belgian political prisoners and resistance fighters, especially those who perished in Ravensbrück concentration camp. Nearby, a poem by Marguerite Bervoets, a poet beheaded in 1944, is etched into a stone. Her words serve as a powerful testament to the struggle for freedom.