Ohlsdorf Cemetery

Welcome to Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Hamburg, a place that defies the traditional conception of a graveyard. Spanning nearly 400 hectares, this is the largest park cemetery in the world. …

Our walk begins at the impressive wrought-iron main gates, just a short distance from the Ohlsdorf train station. Near the entrance, you will find the Museum of Sepulchral Culture, a small but fascinating institution dedicated to…

As we move further into the cemetery, we enter the 'Cordes Section,' named after the first director and architect of Ohlsdorf, Wilhelm Cordes. This area is the most representative of his original vision for a picturesque…

A particularly unique area of Ohlsdorf is the section dedicated to gravestones that have been 'rescued' from other locations. In the 1950s and 60s, many of Hamburg’s older inner-city cemeteries, such as the one at 'Planten un…

In contrast to the winding paths of the Cordes section, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission area is marked by a somber, orderly precision. This is the final resting place for over 700 soldiers from the British Commonwealth who…

Continuing north, we enter the sections designed by the second director, Linne, and his successors. This area, often called the 'Althann Section,' is characterized by a more open, modernist layout. …

Ohlsdorf is truly Hamburg’s 'Hall of Fame,' housing the remains of many of the city's most influential figures. While there is no single 'celebrity row,' a walk through the various sectors reveals the names of mayors, scientists,…

Our journey through Ohlsdorf Cemetery brings us back to where we started, but with a new perspective on this 'City of the Silent.' We have traversed a landscape that is both a masterpiece of garden design and a profound…