Haven’t you heard about Germany’s first church-owned burial forest? It’s right here at St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof in Berlin. This cemetery blends 19th-century traditions with a modern love for nature.
St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof is more than just a final resting place. It is a historical landmark. It is a green oasis.
Let’s step back to 1854. The St. Bartholomäus parish was growing quickly. They needed their own burial ground. Finally, in 1892, they bought land in Weißensee. In 1894, St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof opened its gates. A chapel and administration building soon followed.
This St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof has a rich history. It also holds artistic treasures. Between 2003 and 2013, artists added beautiful fountains. Renate Wiedemann used Tittlinger granite for one. She used old Silesian sandstone for another. Roland Luchmann created a fountain from old facade pieces.
In 1917, St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof created a special area. It honored those who fell in World War I. Since 2013, St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof offers a unique option. You can choose a woodland burial. Your loved one’s remains become part of nature. It was the first Friedwald, or forest cemetery, on existing cemetery grounds.
St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof is a protected landmark. The main path leads from the entrance to the chapel. A linden tree avenue marks this path. Behind the chapel, a chestnut avenue extends to the World War I memorial. The chapel has room for 85 people. It features a warm-air heating system and beautiful stained-glass windows.
This place is also an ecological haven. Old sewage pits now collect rainwater. This water helps maintain the grounds. The administration uses wood from the St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof for heating. The woods and fields attract many animals. Deer, hawks, buzzards, and raccoon dogs all live here. Wild meadows offer shelter to insects and ground-nesting birds.
Many notable figures rest here. Siegfried Weiß was a member of the Berliner Ensemble. Rainer Kerndl was a writer and journalist. Klaus Brasch was an actor. Peter Brasch was a writer. All found their final place at St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof.
Today, St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof continues to evolve. It balances history and nature. It offers a peaceful place for remembrance. Regular forest tours show off its beauty. These tours explore its history and woodland burial options. The main entrance is on Giersstraße. The address of St. Bartholomäus-Friedhof is Giersstraße 19/21 in Berlin. Remember this unique place where life and death intertwine.