Despite their religious differences, Colonel J.C.P.H. of Aeffderson and noblewoman J.W.C. Van Gorkum were married for forty years.
Upon their deaths, the 19th century Netherland policy of Pillarisation prevented them from being buried side-by-side. Pillarisation required all establishments separate people based on religious and political affiliation. The Colonel was required to be buried in a Protestant cemetery and Van Gorkum had to be buried in a Catholic cemetery.
Nevertheless, their headstones are connected by clasping hands across a brick wall, symbolizing their love.
Via Atlas Obscura.
What a beautiful story…what till Hollywood gets ahold of this.
It’s a really poignant statement in so many ways…