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All the Netherlands Ouderkerk aan de Amstel Beth Haim Cemetery
AO Edited

Beth Haim Cemetery

A Portuguese Jewish cemetery filled with stunning grave monuments that date back to 1614.

Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, Netherlands

Added By
Claudia Crobatia
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Marble Memento Mori.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
Marble Memento Mori.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
Skeleton engraving.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
Hebrew inscription.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
View of the street surrounding the cemetery grounds.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
Gravestone hidden in the grass.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
Marble tombstone with coat of arms.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
The Rodeamentos House, built in 1705.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
St. Urbanus Church in the distance.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
The “Vega House,” or caretaker’s house.   Claudia Crobatia / Atlas Obscura User
  thomasvanderkruis / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On the outskirts of Amsterdam lies the small town of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel. This picturesque region happens to be home to the oldest Jewish cemetery in the Netherlands, Beth Haim. 

Beth Haim means “House of Life,” and as you will see, it is indeed full of life. The cemetery is like a lush and peaceful secret garden. Most of the tombstones are hidden in the midst of tall grass and wild bushes. The grave markers depict detailed scenes from the past that tell the stories of the people who are buried here, of their lives, their values, and their beliefs. 

There are about 28,000 graves at Beth Haim, many of which belong to the Sephardi Jews, whose ancestors came from Spain and Portugal. The cemetery was purchased by the Jewish community of Amsterdam in 1614 and almost reached full capacity in 1923. Many famous Jewish rabbis, diplomats, and scientists are buried here, such as the parents of the Dutch philosopher Spinoza. The tombstones have inscriptions in Dutch, Portuguese, and Hebrew, and are carved with elaborate scenes containing many beautiful mystic symbols. 

The Rodeamentos House is where the funeral ceremonies take place. It was built in 1705 and divides the old part of the cemetery with historical monumental tombstones from the section containing relatively new graves. Across the road from the cemetery, you can see the St. Urbanus church. In every direction you look here you can see something stunning. The graveyard fits so perfectly with its surroundings that its magic fully blends in with the bordering streets and buildings.

Update as of March 2021: Many of the gravestones' have been replaced and are no longer visible. 

Related Tags

Cemeteries Gravestones Graveyards Jewish History Graves

Know Before You Go

The cemetery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is closed on Saturday and Jewish holidays. The house rules are listed at the entrance gates.

Community Contributors

Added By

Claudia Crobatia

Edited By

thomasvanderkruis

  • thomasvanderkruis

Published

January 10, 2019

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Beth Haim Cemetery
10 Kerkstraat
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, 1191 JB
Netherlands
52.295629, 4.902913
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