Moscowa

English translation

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Description

Description

ROMAN CATHOLIC SECTION of the cemetery "MOSCOWA" in Arnhem. This terrain is bounded by the general section of "Moscowa" (north side), the Apeldoornseweg (east side), the Jewish cemetery (south side) and the Way along the cemeteries (west side). The oldest part and at the same time the most valuable component of the Roman Catholic section is the so-called "J.W. Boerboomsrond"; a roundabout which is named after the Arnhem architect J.W. Boerbooms who designed some striking grave monuments in neo-gothic style and is also buried here himself. The layout of this old core consists of a square in which a roundabout is inscribed. The somewhat raised heart of the roundabout is marked by a statue of the crucified Christ around which the priestly graves are grouped. The concentric rings around this heart are hierarchically arranged: division into five classes. In the inner ring are located the most important graves of Arnhem Catholic families and institutions, such as St. Elisabeth's Hospital and the Sprenger family. Further outward lie the simpler graves. The largely sandstone graves are grouped back-to-back and consist mostly of horizontal grave slabs (some tombs) in combination with a monument on a base behind them (mostly crosses, some pinnacles). The importance of the grave markers found on the cemetery lies not so much in their individual value, but rather in the collective significance they have, particularly through their use of material and positioning within the layout, for its characteristic late 19th and early 20th-century character.

On the grave monuments predominantly strongly religiously-bound motifs, symbols and images are applied which are executed by exception in marble or bronze, such as the cross, head of Christ, Christogram, alpha and omega signs, saints and angels. Unique is the grandly conceived grave chapel from 1892 for the Sprenger family designed by architect J.W. Boerbooms in rich neo-gothic style in which is a marble statue of the guardian angel by sculptor Faggioni. Further, several graves can be attributed to the Arnhem studio of the stonemason and contractor L. Hasselbach (1827-1887) which was later taken over by H. Hutjens (1843-1918): the graves of the Willems and Hasselbach families in the inner ring. The two identical graves of the Geubels family in the inner ring are from the studio Salu from Laken (Belgium).

The planting is secondary within the strictly formal layout of the Roman Catholic section. The main paths are bordered by yew hedges and acacias. Background and backdrop vegetation is applied in and around the roundabout (great diversity of trees and clipped shrubs).

The rectangular grave plots of subordinate importance for protection surrounding the roundabout are enclosed by tall dense hedges (so-called "chambers") and are filled with long, parallel straight rows of sand graves.

Valuation

ROMAN CATHOLIC SECTION of the cemetery "MOSCOWA" (1875) in Arnhem, of general cultural and garden-historical importance:

- because of the funerary-historical and genealogical value of the grave markers (on local/regional level);

- because of the characteristic late nineteenth and early twentieth-century character of the layout and grave markers;

- because of the quality of the strictly formal layout with roundabout (possibly designed by city architect A. van Cuylenburgh jr.);

- because of the varied collection of trees and shrubs of high age;

- as part of the green fingers characteristic for Arnhem that extend from the rural area into the city.