Time stood still. The Gethsemane-Friedhof in Berlin’s Nordend lay before me a place of quiet reflection. This wasn’t just any cemetery. It’s the southernmost of the Nordend’s Evangelical cemeteries. Together with Frieden-Himmelfahrt and Zion they form one of the largest contiguous cemetery complexes in northern Berlin covering 44.5 hectares.
Opened on Ascension Day May 27 1897 the Gethsemane-Friedhof holds a unique story. The very first burial was a poignant event. A small boy from the Zion community was laid to rest. This ensured the cemetery’s inauguration wouldn’t be without a burial a tradition rooted in old superstition. The boy’s grave marked by a small marble cross still remains a testament to this unusual beginning. You can see it near the entrance over a century later.
The Gethsemane-Friedhof’s chapel a beautiful neo-Gothic brick building designed by Georg Roll in 1897 was sadly decommissioned in the early 1970s. Today the Frieden-Himmelfahrt chapel handles funeral services. Across from the Gethsemane chapel sits a restored waiting hall. This is a rare sight in Berlin’s cemeteries. Nearby an honorary grove remembers members of the Gethsemane community who perished in World War I.
A majestic linden tree avenue more than a kilometer long runs the length of the Gethsemane-Friedhof. It forms the heart of this classic alley-quarter cemetery. Originally an elaborate portal stood at the Dietzgenstrasse entrance. Sadly destroyed during the war the gateposts and iron gates remain poignant reminders of the past. The adjacent administration building also a neo-Gothic brick structure from around 1900 houses the administration for all the Nordend cemeteries. All the buildings here are listed as historical monuments.
The Gethsemane-Friedhof is a beautiful mix of old and new. The front section is characterized by well-maintained hedges. The rear section behind the chapel has been allowed to grow wild almost becoming a forest. Interestingly this area was closed for burials in 2013. The front area mostly contains plots for both earth and urn burials with many large historical tombs and grave sites from the Art Nouveau period. They offer a fascinating glimpse into cultural history. Take your time to explore them. This is a peaceful place. A place for quiet reflection. A true testament to life and remembrance. The Gethsemane-Friedhof. A captivating part of Berlin’s history.