Campo Santo

Campo Santo is a protected Catholic burial ground situated on the natural slope of Sint-Amandsberg hill and houses approximately 131 preserved graves along with mausoleums in its grounds. Stone pathways wind through the cemetery past the chapel dedicated to Saint Amand, creating a structured layout where visitors can move between different sections and observe the varied tomb designs.

This burial ground opened in early 1848 in response to the need for a dedicated cemetery serving Ghent's Catholic population. Over subsequent decades, prominent merchants, artists, and religious figures chose this location for their interment, resulting in an accumulation of monuments from different eras.

The name Campo Santo refers to the sacred grounds and reflects its role as the principal burial place for Ghent's Catholic families over many generations. Visitors can observe how elaborate tomb designs served as statements of family identity and social standing within the community.

The grounds are freely accessible and open to visitors without entry fees, though visiting hours vary with the seasons. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as the terrain slopes steeply and includes both grass paths and steps to navigate the hillside.

Roughly seventy of the most elaborate tombstones have undergone restoration and display architectural styles ranging from Romanticism to Art Nouveau. This restored collection offers insight into how burial monuments functioned as artistic expressions of Ghent's affluent civic class.

Location: Ghent

GPS coordinates: 51.06389,3.74917

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40