Begraafplaats Groenesteeg in Leiden, Zuid-Holland

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Get directions Groenesteeg 126
Leiden, Leiden Municipality, Zuid-Holland 2312 SR Netherlands

Coordinates: 52.15737, 4.50292
www.begraafplaatsgroenesteeg.nl
Cemetery ID:

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Description: Between 1794 and 1814, the Netherlands was controlled by France. Over time, French laws were also implemented in the Netherlands. Therefore, in 1813, burials within churches were no longer allowed. Leiden therefore decided to build a cemetery at the end of the Groenesteeg. This cemetery was finished on 9 March 1813. However, when the French were defeated, it was decided that burials within churches were allowed once again. The amount of burials in Begraafplaats Groenesteeg drastically decreased. Between 1814 and 1828, only 31 people were buried here. As of 1829, burials inside churches were once again no longer allowed. Burials at Groenesteeg increased again. Expansions were made in 1860 and the 1890s. The cemetery became fuller and fuller and in 1908 a new cemetery was built, Begraafplaats Rhijnhof. It was decided that Groenesteeg would be closed, but this did not end up happening. Burials did decrease drastically again. The cemetery fell into decay, but was restored in 1934. During World War II, Rhijnhof could not always be used as a cemetery and thus people were buried in mass graves at Begraafplaats Groenesteeg. The remains were later reburied at Begraafplaats Rhijnhof. In 1975, the cemetery was closed. In 1978, the cemetery became a state monument. After closure, the cemetery fell into decay again. A group of citizens were concerned about the state of the cemetery and founded a foundation for preservation of Begraafplaats Groenesteeg. Due to this foundation, the cemetery was restored in the period 1993-1995. Another restoration took place in 2014.