Hidden in plain sight, Friedhof Manfort whispers stories of Leverkusen’s past. Friedhof Manfort isn’t just a cemetery. It’s a green lung within the city, a living archive etched in stone. Friedhof Manfort stands as a testament to Leverkusen’s rich history. The main entrance, with ample parking, is located at Manforter Straße 182. A second entrance can be found on Karl-Krekeler-Straße. You can reach the Friedhof Manfort easily by bus. The 204 bus stops at both entrances.
Friedhof Manfort is more than just rows of tombstones. It houses the final resting places of influential figures. Here lie Ehrenringträger (honorary ring bearers) like Johannes Dott, Ulrich Haberland, Bruno Krupp, and Hans-Georg Mierzwiak. Former mayors Wilhelm Dopatka and Wolfgang Obladen rest here as well. You’ll find the graves of city elders Wilhelm Deutsch and Robert Medenwald. Even local artists like Erwin Plönes and Kurt Arentz have found their final resting place within Friedhof Manfort’s grounds. A memorial exists for the Duisberg family. Although Carl Duisberg, the former general director, and honorary citizen of Wiesdorf, is buried elsewhere. He’s buried in the Carl-Duisberg-Park.
The Kapelle, designed by Wilhelm Fähler, dates back to 1917/18. It is a protected historical landmark. This grand Kapelle, the wide path leading to it, and several memorials give Friedhof Manfort the feel of a central cemetery, though it doesn’t officially hold that title. Friedhof Manfort offers a variety of burial options. These include traditional in-ground burials for caskets and urns. There are also columbarium walls. A Memoriamgarten (memorial garden) and a Ruhegarten (garden of rest) offer serene alternatives.
The Memoriamgarten, opened in 2013, offers a unique, professionally maintained space. The Ruhegarten, opened in 2005, provides a peaceful resting place for urns in a communal setting. Friedhof Manfort also carries the weight of history. It holds a memorial to the victims of a World War I explosion at the Bayer factory. Another memorial commemorates the forced laborers who perished in Leverkusen during World War II. Friedhof Manfort stands as a poignant reminder of the past. It serves as a peaceful sanctuary. The cemetery offers a space for reflection amidst the bustling city.