A sprawling expanse of quiet. That’s Friedhof In den Kisseln. This is Berlin’s largest cemetery. It’s a place of profound peace. Yet it holds centuries of stories.
Opened on November 17 1886 In den Kisseln wasn’t initially planned as a beautiful park. Spandau needed a new burial ground. Its previous cemeteries were small and overflowing. Funeral processions clogged the city streets. The solution a vast area north of Falkenhagener Weg.
This land was a landscape of sandy dunes. Covered in pine trees called Kisseln in the local dialect. The sandy soil was perfect for burials. The trees gave the cemetery its name. The name translates to In the Little Pine Trees. Or In the Cuddles. Another endearing name used for the dense small wood.
Originally only 52 hectares In den Kisseln expanded significantly. First in 1913-1915 then again in 1920. Architect Karl Elkart redesigned it. He envisioned a beautiful wooded cemetery. Similar to the famous Ohlsdorf cemetery in Hamburg.
In den Kisseln has many notable graves. Among them are those of Spandau’s mayor Friedrich Koeltze. Also Eugen Rex the actor and Bernhard Waber a general of the air force. Many other prominent Berliners rest here.
But it’s not just about famous people. In den Kisseln holds the remains of thousands of ordinary citizens. Many fallen soldiers from World War I and II are here. There are mass graves for victims of the war and countless others. The victims of the Karlslust Inn fire in 1947 are also buried here.
The cemetery survived many battles. It even has sections where soldiers shot for Wehrkraftzersetzung are buried. A memorial honors them. The names of these victims are documented. Memorials exist here to commemorate those killed during Nazi reign.
Many graves were moved from other parts of Berlin. This has made documentation difficult. The Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge is carefully cataloging everything. Their goal is to provide detailed information about all the people buried within In den Kisseln’s grounds.
In den Kisseln is more than just a cemetery. It’s a living history book. A poignant reminder of life and death. It’s a testament to the resilience of Berlin’s past. It’s a place for reflection and remembrance. The quiet beauty belies the rich history within this space. Take a moment to appreciate its solemn beauty.