Oskar Ziethen

Oskar Ziethen’s legacy whispers through the very stones of Lichtenberg. Here, at his final resting place, we can almost feel the echoes of his tireless work. Oskar Ziethen, a name synonymous with Lichtenberg’s transformation, rests here. He wasn’t born in Berlin, but in Stettin in 1858. His journey led him to become the driving force behind Lichtenberg’s growth from a rural community to a thriving city. Ziethen envisioned a Lichtenberg with paved streets, modern sanitation, and essential public buildings. He championed the construction of the town hall, the gymnasium at Parkaue, the district court, and the church at Roedeliusplatz. Ziethen also spearheaded the development of the Hubertus Hospital, later renamed Oskar-Ziethen-Hospital in his honor in 1933. His relentless pursuit of city status for Lichtenberg finally paid off in 1907. He was elected its first mayor in 1908. Later, he earned the title of Lord Mayor. Ziethen even served in World War I before returning to oversee Lichtenberg’s integration into Greater Berlin. He retired in 1921 but continued to serve in the Berlin City Council and the Lichtenberg District Assembly. His dedication earned him the title of City Elder of Berlin in 1924. Even after his death in 1932, Ziethen’s impact is undeniable. His name graces a hospital, a school, and a community college in Lichtenberg. Here, at his grave, we remember the man who shaped Lichtenberg.