Beth Haim

"Beth Haim which is Hebrew for ‘The House of Life’ is located in the small village of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel and dates back to 1614, making it the oldest Jewish cemetery in The Netherlands. The site which feels more like someone’s beautifully cultivated private garden is located in glorious countryside on the outskirts of Amsterdam. But please don’t let the journey put you off, as this extremely captivating cemetery is well worth a visit to see the unique and unusual tombstones it contains. Laid horizontally to the ground, these exceptional grave markers are thick slabs of stone which depict a range of figurative imagery and detailed historic scenes, revealing the beliefs and values of the people buried there. To add to this, many of the stones include spectacular skull carvings in a number of elaborate designs (like no other I have seen before). One you can’t miss witnessing is the skeleton holding a looming scythe, which is located at the south side of the cemetery adjacent to the river. Numerous graves relate to the Sephardi Jews whose ancestors originated from Spain and Portugal, so you will also see many inscriptions in three languages, Portuguese, Dutch and Hebrew. In total around 28,000 people are known to be buried here including many famous Jewish diplomats, scientists and rabbis. In the distance you will see the magnificent St. Urbanus church, which creates a truly picturesque backdrop to the cemetery. Enjoy your time wandering around these very special grounds and admire the completely unique funeral imagery which this fascinating location contains, as each stone you discover seems to be even more intriguing than the last! Tip: Double check opening times online before you visit as these may vary."