Ohlsdorf Cemetery
Hamburg
Ohlsdorf Cemetery, located in the Ohlsdorf quarter of Hamburg, Germany, is the largest rural cemetery in the world and the fourth-largest cemetery globally, spanning approximately 391 hectares. Established in 1877 as a non-denominational burial ground, it serves as the final resting place for over 1.5 million individuals across more than 280,000 burial sites. The cemetery is not only a burial site but also a vast park featuring 12 chapels, extensive tree-lined avenues, ponds, and impressive mausoleums. It functions as a recreational area and tourist attraction, drawing about two million visitors annually who come to admire its rhododendron blooms, sculptures, and funerary museum. Several memorials within the cemetery honor victims of war and Nazi persecution, including the Hamburg Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery and multiple monuments commemorating resistance fighters and victims of the Hamburg firestorm during World War II. The cemetery is well integrated into Hamburg's public transport network, with multiple entrances and bus stops, making it accessible for visitors seeking both historical insight and serene natural beauty.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Ohlsdorf Cemetery is during the rhododendron bloom from late April to early June when the park's flora is at its most vibrant. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport, as the cemetery is served by multiple bus lines and nearby train stations. Advance planning is recommended to explore specific memorials or to attend guided tours available through the official website or the dedicated app, which also helps locate notable graves and facilities. The cemetery offers a peaceful environment for reflection and sightseeing, so comfortable walking shoes are advisable. There are no specific ticket requirements as it is a public space, but respecting opening hours and cemetery etiquette is important.
Faits intéressants
- •Ohlsdorf Cemetery is the largest rural cemetery in the world and the fourth-largest cemetery globally.
- •It covers an area of approximately 391 hectares (966 acres) with over 280,000 burial sites and 1.5 million burials.
- •The cemetery includes the Hamburg Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery, one of four permanent Commonwealth cemeteries in Germany.
- •There are six memorial sites dedicated to victims of Nazi persecution, including a monument listing 25 concentration camps.
- •About two million visitors come annually, attracted by the cemetery's park-like setting, sculptures, and historical memorials.
Histoire
Ohlsdorf Cemetery was inaugurated in 1877 as a non-denominational burial site outside Hamburg.
Over time, it grew to become the world's largest rural cemetery, with more than 1.4 million interments since its founding.
The cemetery has evolved from a purely burial ground to a multifunctional park with historical buildings, memorials, and natural landscapes.
Key historical milestones include the establishment of memorials for victims of Nazi persecution and World War casualties, reflecting Hamburg's turbulent 20th-century history.
The cemetery's infrastructure and management have adapted over the years, including the introduction of controlled vehicle access and integration into Hamburg's public transport system.
Guide du lieu
Hamburg Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery1923 (consolidation of graves)
Located near chapel 12, this cemetery honors over 400 Allied prisoners of war from World War I, sailors washed ashore, and Commonwealth soldiers from both World Wars and post-war periods. It serves as a solemn reminder of the global conflicts and their local impact.
Monument for the Victims of Nazi Persecution1949
Erected in 1949 near the new crematorium, this memorial features a stele and a marble slab engraved with the names of 25 concentration camps. The adjacent graveyard holds urns containing ashes of victims and soil from concentration camps, symbolizing remembrance and mourning.
Monument for the Victims of the Hamburg Firestorm1952
This cross-shaped mass grave holds the remains of approximately 38,000 victims of the 1943 Operation Gomorrah bombing campaign. A monument by Gerhard Marcks, titled 'Passage over the River Styx', was erected in 1952 at the site, symbolizing the passage from life to death.
Memorial Grove for the Hamburg Resistance Fighters1946
Established in 1946 near the main entrance, this grove is the burial site for 55 anti-fascists executed or died in custody during the Nazi era. A bronze sculpture by Richard Steffen marks the entrance, and a stone wall bears a quote from Czech resistance fighter Julius Fučík.
Contact
Téléphone: 040 593880