Whispers of war echo here. This is the Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse. More than just a cemetery it’s a poignant reminder of Berlin’s tumultuous past.
The Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse opened between 1938 and 1941. It was originally intended as a burial ground for fallen Wehrmacht soldiers. The Heeresbauamt the army construction office oversaw its creation. The design for the cemetery buildings is credited to Wilhelm Büning.
On May 10 1940 the new cemetery was consecrated. The ceremony was led by Franz Dohrmann the Protestant military bishop of the Wehrmacht. The same day the body of Captain Fritz Schleif was interred. His remains had been transferred from Königsberg in Prussia.
Initially the Wehrmacht covered the costs of transferring burying and maintaining the graves of war dead. By July 1940 about 35 Wehrmacht members had been laid to rest here. In April 1941 the Wehrmacht began charging fees. Civilian victims of the air raids started to be buried here too.
In October 1950 the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge chose the Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse. They selected it as the central site for war graves in Berlin. This decision was made in consultation with the city authorities. The Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse is now the final resting place for 4935 victims of war and tyranny. These are in individual graves. There are also many more unnamed war dead in mass graves. They cover an area of 1432 square meters.
Every year on the eve of Volkstrauertag a memorial service takes place here. The Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge organizes it. Since the mid-1990s the German Armed Forces the Bundeswehr have participated. The service now has an international character. It includes military attachés and representatives from foreign embassies.
The Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse is more than just graves. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It continues to serve as a place of remembrance and reflection on the horrors of war. Since 2018 it has also offered burial plots following Islamic rites. The graves are oriented toward Mecca. The Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse is a place to pause to remember and to contemplate. It’s a space where history lives and breathes. It’s a powerful place a place that speaks volumes about Berlin’s history and the enduring impact of war. It is a place you won’t soon forget. This is the Friedhof an der Lilienthalstrasse.