Grave whispers. Do you hear them? We are standing at the Cimetière Ouest. This is Strasbourg’s western cemetery. It is a place of rest and remembrance.
The Cimetière Ouest was established in 1890. The location was chosen for its open space. It sits between the city’s fortifications and the first buildings of Cronenbourg. The cemetery officially opened in 1891. This was during the German Empire.
The Cimetière Ouest spans 10 hectares. That is about 25 acres. It holds around 12,000 tombs. The cemetery also has columbariums. These hold the ashes of the deceased.
Notable figures rest here. Three former mayors of Strasbourg are buried in the Cimetière Ouest. Otto Back was mayor from 1873 to 1880. Charles Hueber was mayor from 1929 to 1935. Marcel Rudloff served as mayor from 1983 to 1989. The philosopher and sociologist Georg Simmel is also interred here. The comedian Germain Muller rests here too. You will also find the painter Robert Kuven. And the engraver Henri Bacher.
The Cimetière Ouest also holds a monument. It commemorates those who died in the war of 1870. The cemetery is open to the public every day. Visiting hours are from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The cemetery welcomes those who wish to pay their respects.
Finding a specific grave is possible. The Strasbourg Archives keep records of interments. These records are digitized. They include information about each cemetery. You need to know the cemetery and approximate death date. The City’s Funeral Service website can help you locate graves too.
The Cimetière Ouest is more than a burial ground. It is a place of history. It is a place of art. The theatrical walks bring the stories of remarkable women to life. These women left their mark on Strasbourg.
To get here, you can take bus number 17. Get off at the Cimetière Central stop. You can also take tram lines A or D to the Rotonde stop. If you are driving, there is parking on Rue Joseph Holterbach. The main entrance is on Rue Joseph Holterbach. There are other entrances on Rue de Hochfelden and Route de Mittelhausbergen.
Take a moment to reflect on the lives remembered here at Cimetière Ouest.