@@anonymous78546 I seriously doubt that. I think you are overreacting. The locals will already know about this place and where it is. Its too vast to be a secret from those who live close by. Foreigners are not going to travel there just to make mischief and he didn't give the name either.
@@anonymous78546 How did he put that place in danger? Allegedly. Please explain… Why would this cemetery that has been abandoned be in danger, just from him, walking around and filming some of the abandoned graves and mausoleums? Obviously there are plenty of other people that know about that place and it hasn’t been in danger… Stop trying to instigate or create drama! He was being respectful enough by not mentioning the name of it & even asking others not to mention it if they know the name, but knock it off with the conspiracy, there’s no ‘danger’, Snowflake! 🙄😂
They are not forgotten, we Jews remember during the Yizkor services held four times a year, and most poignantly during the Yizkor service on Yom Kippur afternoon. We collectively remember every Jew who has no one to say Kaddish for them anymore, along with our own families, friends and those who have passed in our respective synagogues during these for memorial services. I am sure the reason the crypt is abandoned is because their relatives perished during the Shoah and they either have no living family anymore, or their families never returned to that city after WWII ended.
@@drshelkie4153 this! I think of the little girl with the bow now, the boy in the sailing outfit and glasses whereas otherwise I would have never known that they once existed. Their memories are now living in California ( not that I have actual memories but the fact that I now know they once were here)
GV, thank you so much for showing this. As a Jew it lets me say Kaddish for the bodies that are in the crypt when many will not have anyone left in their family to say Kaddish for them on their Yahrzeit (anniversary of their death following the lunar calendar) and light a memorial candle. I shall light c memorial candle for them as a group and say Kaddish. Thank you for not naming the graveyard. Bless you GV
Mother Nature is taking over in a beautiful and caring way. She knows it’s a place of rest, she will take it over gracefully. Thank you for your respect when sharing with us.
Yes, as it should be . Unfortunately in the UK they only allow modest headstones so they can keep the place strimmed. There are usually few trees and I can't really imagine them maturing into havens for nature in the future, as this has.
Beautiful cemetery! I could feel your anxiety when you were in the crypt. Kudo's to you for actually going down there to show us. I couldn't have done it!
@@kimberlybates6261 I would suspect that many were rounded up in the second world war and sent to the death camps. Sadly, they may never be returned to their homes, and the world is a sadder place for the injustice done.
See my post above. After they closed the cemey in the 1950s maintenance moved to the families of those interred, the relatives of the Jews buried there were mostlymurdered in the Holocaust between 1942 and 1944 There wasnt anyone left to maintain the crypt,
Jewish Families like mine have had an 800 year history in Germany only to then be spit out like trash & be completely wiped out, it’s not by choice our Jewish communities are not there flourishing in Europe & to be able to maintain the memories and graves of our ancestors, The hard truth is your countries have done that to us. Now the least they can do is maintain their gravesites & keep the memories alive. Am Yisrael Chi
You guys really do bring us the best content. That was so brave to risk falling to show us the Jewish burial site I hope it's soon repaired. Thanks so much x
As it is an unattended Jewish cemetery I do strongly agree and not publishing the location. We all know why without saying it. A very interesting historical find. It is a miracle it was not destroyed during the war. Usually locations like that are a heritage site. Rare and interesting find.
@@Wellch Yep, I've seen also the IHS anagram, so there are also definitely christian graves there. The jewish graves must be in a dedicated portion of the cemetery.
It’s distressing to see so many forgotten especially in the Jewish catacomb. Though their souls have departed this world. I pray for all of them. May all the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace.❤❤❤
I love the Hebrew etchings on the graves. The vines that grow through the ceiling of the crypt are so gloriously spooky. Amazing the photographs are still intact after so much time. Thank you so much for this beautiful walk through this area. Big hugs from Oregon!
Although I agree with other comments that the cemetery is beautiful in its “return to nature” state, I do think it is tragic that the local community is losing this important piece of heritage.
@@caseyhoward8261…..unless this cemetary is in Antwerp, there won’t be much of a Jewish community. I think this must be Brussels. If so, out of a population of 11 million, only 29,000 are Jews. Half the Jewish population of Belgium was murdered in the war. Most others fled. Many who live there now probably have no ancestors buried there. There are probably many Jewish cemeteries dotted around Belgium like this. It would take vast resources to repair them all. War has many long lasting side effects that ripple down through time.
@@caseyhoward8261 Heritage is not irrelevant and silly. It is important to know your history, the history of your community or city. Why we see such uprise in new nazis and other hateful people, is because we have lost touch with history and with people who lived, loved and accomplished things before us. Those who built society for us.
@salmor6086 I have to disagree with you I think making these videos and remembering the forgotten is a way of documenting history and hopefully people will see them and do a clean up
I think the overgrowth adds to the beauty of this old place. It looks amazing! And I don't scare easily, but I don't think I could have gone down into that crypt. You're a brave man, GV! Thanks for another excellent video!
So impressed with the level of respect you give to the people interred in these cemetery’s. Your passion shines through and I thank you for sharing these videos.
Headstone photos are so sad. The people were once so vibrant and I'm sure loved and adored.....and now the place is abandoned and they are forgotten. My minimalist gene is growing, aided much by cemetery videos. I have decided that we will all become memorial photos on a forgotten headstone. All of this excess in my house has got to go. My kids won't want it. It's a waste of space and energy.
@@pocu321 My parents were not hoarders but they weren’t minimalist either. We had to clean out two homes, when they died within a couple of years of eachother. It was ten years ago and some of it is *still* in storage because not all of my siblings are ready to part with everything. It’s not junk but it’s also nothing I need. Whatever you do to “slim down”, your kids will definitely appreciate!
You never know for sure what someone will or won't want. Some people really think their kids will want this thing or that and the kids couldn't care less. In other cases, the person throws away stuff that it turns out someone definitely would have liked to have. Unless it's junk or actual trash, it's worth asking if anyone in your immediate family wants it.
Can't be too abandoned, because someone is clearly keeping the main avenues clear of vegetation. No longer in use perhaps and maybe not widely known of.
@@Sashazur Couldn’t agree more. I’m in the midst of downsizing to a much smaller home and some “ Swedish Death Cleaning “ so my son won’t have to deal with the nightmare I’m inevitably going to be living when my hoarder parents pass on. 😢
Fantastic video GV... Absolutely amazing up top .. all the kids graves it's just heartbreaking and I said a little prayer for them.. thanks for sharing
The reason why the Jewish crypt wasnt't maintained: If you look at the dates on the Jewish crypt they are all pre WW2. Now when this cemetery closed the authorities handed over maintenance for each grave site to the families, which is why some of the graves are better cared than others. In the case of the Jewish Crypt the reason why it wasn't maintained is because from 1942, the 25000 Jewish community in Brussels was deported to Auschwitz. Every relative still in Brussels in 1942 of the Jews buried there would have been rounded up and murdered. So there was no one left to care for the crypt. Brussels was the second largest Jewish community in Belgium pre WW2, Antwerp was the largest. Between 1942 and 1944 the Germans deported and murdered 1/3 of the Jewish population and most of them were from Antwerp and Brussels. The surviving Jews had other things to worry about and much of their wealth had been seized. After WW2 many of Europe's Jews emigrated to the USA and to Israel and the UK. The modern Jewish community in Brussels is relatively recent.
Hello GV, Thank you for another wonderful video. As an adopted child to a Jewish parent myself I find this very distressing that the Community allowed this beautiful place to fall into Disrepair. Be safe and keep these amazing videos coming. Cheers Jean Crosby Nashville TN USA
This cemetery is eerily and and the underground crypts are of significant social history to the Jewish community. Tin Tins creator probably had this grave plot bought before the cemetery closed but the plot lease allows the opening of the grave even though this place has long since locked its gates. Wonderful cemetery 🍀🍀
That place is amazing! What an awesome find. I think you hit the jackpot with this one. I could hear the excitement in your voice. I was excited also. I so enjoyed it. TY
very interesting video., also a little creepy................ one of the photo's wasn't a policeman but a postman !! great to see the grave of Hergé thanks for sharing👍👍👍👍
Thank you for braving the Jewish burials. Am so fascinated how huge it is. All those poor little babies. What a beautiful old grave yard. Stay safe and please keep on sharing we so blessed to go on these journeys with you and Sue.
Thanks for taking us along on this tour, GV. You were so brave to go down into that underground crypt. I could never have done it! I loved the cemetery, though. Mother Nature is reclaiming, but there are so many beautiful monuments. I really appreciate your videos!
I'm Catholic. My father-in-law was Jewish. I have friends since childhood that are Jewish. For us, the difference in religions has never been a problem for us to love each other ❤
This cemetery was beautiful! So sad it's abandoned. Many astounding memorials and mausoleums. I like the old pictures too. They really give you a sense of who's buried there. And certainly, the Sphynx gives you an idea of who he was, or that he was impressed by Egyptian culture. Thank you for showing us around, GV. I'm glad you didn't fall in the underground vault. That was interesting, but a little creepy too.
I don't understand how such places can be considered "abandoned". While I'm not advocating for "The State" (any government) to seize property for profit, cemeteries and graveyards are a completely different thing. If nothing else, governments should care for, and preserve such places due to their history should the owners no longer be able to do so. I can't imagine that it would cost TOO much to pay for groundskeepers to maintain places like this, especially considering the budgets many governments have at their disposal. Plus, if you think about it another way, it would create JOBS. Jobs with a purpose. I don't see any negatives with that idea.
Many Jewish cemeteries in Europe look like this because the majority died in the holocaust and the lucky ones who survived left and never came back. It's heartbreaking 💔.
Love TinTin and Snowy. Thank you for this visit to a very culturally significant burial place for the Jewish people. It does remind me of Highgate. I wish it could be maintained but appreciate the huge challenges in doing so. We should never forget😢 I recall seeing a statue in Belgium dedicated to all the people, esp the children, that starved to death during the war.
This is my absolute favourite video of yours..Going down inside that Mausoleum was special..Your so brave I was holding my breath..Love you GV and thanks 😘
Ahh GV another wonderful tour! No place is ever truly abandoned (other than by humans) as Mother Nature cares for everything always and forever. The photos on the headstones are beautiful memories of the dearly departed and the sculptures are just wonderful. Please don't be too worried about your visit to the mausoleum, they doubtless appreciated a respectful visitor! 😊❤
Beautiful and magical cemetery!! The Jewish graves are written in Hebrew. And perhaps some were removed by loved ones when the cemetery closed. I noticed some empty coffins in the crypt. But it was fascinating!!! I was listening for evp's. Thanks GV and stay spooky 👻
Made me think of Highgate too GV. I was trying to catch a few dates, but you were too quick for me, lol! The crypt looked so much more derelict than above ground, very sad. Thanks for a grand adventure. Please be careful!! Deb of Oz XXX
That was so interesting and so sad. I have Jewish friends who would feel so sad to see that crypt. You were possibly their first visitor for a long time.
Thank you so much for this tour. Such a beautiful, beautiful cemetery. It almost seems fitting that it is overgrown. Let buried all rest in peace in such a serene place. I really loved this video.
George Reni’s wife Fanny would be 90 years old if she’s still alive. When you went down into that Jewish burial place I was panicking! I’m glad you made it out of there without incident 😬. The writing is in Hebrew. I didn’t know that those half pillar’s meant a life cut short. Thank you GV. You did it again!
I was feeling anxious watching you underground - and I'm in North Carolina in the US! But I thought I heard someone coughing or talking a couple of times. I had a strong feeling that you have a bit of "the sight" in you while I was watching that. I would probably have gone down there, but I don't know that I would have lasted as long as you did and I certainly would not have gone down by myself. Brave man.
Oh wow, just WOW! How did you ever find such an amazing and unique and closed cemetery all at once! You are correct not to name this beautiful and consecrated place. It held both Christians and Jews but there is a reason that so many were buried together to protect their bodies underground. At first, I didn't think you should go down. But how would you know, so that those that can, will protect and document this place. That is a very historic place Cathal. It certainly doesn't look abandoned or you would not have been able to walk through it. This was an exemplary find! And even better if it is kept a secret! Bravo and touché to you! ♥️☘️
Thankyou so much GV so sad to see those Jewish graves & tiny coffins in such a terrible condition, such an amazing cemetary nature reclaiming all,take care 👍
What a fascinating place! So many incredibly beautiful monuments and stones. Nature doesn't care who you are or how much money you spent as she slowly reclaims them all. That crypt has is unbelievable. You are a brave man to go down there! Thank you for another great tour!
Beautiful cemetery. Have always had a connection and an interest in graves from the past. No one needs to do a thing with it. As someone said nature is enfolding these souls. If I knew I would be buried here I would feel peace. Otherwise cremation. This cemetery is divine- no doubt!
What an interesting tour of this cemetery. Though it’s grown up with plant life it nevertheless is quite beautiful and mystical. You going down that underground vault was a bit creepy indeed! It just kept going and going. I did hear some voices, at least two were when you came upon the statute of the woman/angel near the end. I believe it was bronze. Thanks Kindly and Many Blessings! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania
It's a very sad place, the underground crypts especially. You do wish that someone could put the bones in boxes rather than leaving them scattered about. As cemeteries go, many of those graves are not that old. It's such a shame that no one has restored it. I suppose it's always a matter of money.
Thank you again for another incredible adventure. Im also Jewish and I'm grateful that this is hopefully going to be looked into. I was told before my father died that my grandmother was a survivor of the camps. Thank you ❤
Sad, because many families were wiped out and there's no one left to care for them. When I was stationed in Germany, the same thing. Extremely sad. Heartbreaking actually.
That figure you showed was holding a palm branch. The steel door you showed just after had the same thing layed over the cross cut in the door. Fascinating place...thanks🍺
Wow that's crazy and spooky down there that's so sad to see them like that bless them all 🙏🙏 thanks anyway for being brave GV and sharing us it's such a big cemetery lovely photos the cemetery looks a bit creepy too take care GV 👍
You are much braver than I going down underground like that! Had me holding my breath. Jumped and nearly dropped my phone when you slipped! Amazing place!
Wow!! What a treasure trove of a cemetery!! It's just such a shame it's been abandoned!! Was it difficult to get permission to visit?! I can understand why you didn't give out the name of the cemetery!! The last thing you want is vandals going there to cause mischief!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED TinTin as a kid too!! Thanks for the tour, Cathal!! XXXX 👏👍❤💞💙💕🤗
Great Video thanks for making it GV you do know in the jewish custom of barrel is in 24 hours that is why the embalming wasnt done and the bones go to dust in some hay you may have found one of my ancestors my great grand Father his wife is a Wolff family and they where Jewish where my Great Grandfather Leiberg is german the Wolff family here in algoma Wisconsin they had a lot of money and land here in Wisconsin USA there bussness was logging trade and grocery stores along with land they bought for logging
beautiful cemetery shame they have let it get run down. Disgusting how they let the crypt was in the shape it is in. They wouldn't like it if it was their family.
