Did you notice the angel’s tender gaze? It watches over this Grabmonument der Eheleute Franz Röttgers. This is a monument that speaks of love and loss. It marks the final resting place of Franz Röttgers and his wife.
The Grabmonument der Eheleute Franz Röttgers stands as a testament to Dortmund’s rich history. The Ostenfriedhof is a mirror of knowledge. It reflects the skills of artists, sculptors, stonemasons, and bronze casters. The design of gravestones shows our history. They show design preferences through the centuries. These range from Baroque to the post-war period.
Franz Röttgers was a director born on May 4, 1878. Sadly he passed away on July 18, 1909. The monument marks the grave of Franz Röttgers and his wife. It is a beautiful tribute to their life together.
Look closely at the angel. See the inscription: “Dem Auge fern, dem Herzen ewig nah.” This translates to “Far from the eye, forever near to the heart.” The angel seems to embody this sentiment. Its wings spread wide as if to embrace and protect the couple.
The Grabmonument der Eheleute Franz Röttgers features both bronze and granite or marble. The angel stands 1.3 meters tall, its wings spanning 2 meters. The monument reaches a height of 2.2 meters. This Grabmonument der Eheleute Franz Röttgers serves as a landmark within the Ostenfriedhof.
Many people are buried in Ostenfriedhof. Names like Arnecke and Zillken rest here. Albert Arnecke was Dortmund’s mayor until 1900. Anna Zillken led Dortmund’s welfare school.
The friends of Ostpark greatly helped restore sculptures. In 2018, metal art was stolen from the cemetery. Several figures disappeared. The friends started a petition. They wanted the art restored and protected.
The city removed seven Elkan works in 2019. They stored them safely. A company made replicas. Now, people can see these replicas in the park. The originals are stored in the catacombs of the main cemetery. No museum in the city wants to take them.
The Ostenfriedhof feels like an open-air museum. It tells Dortmund’s story. Enter through the iron gate. Pass the historic mourning hall. Walk under the plane trees, beeches, and oaks.
The cemetery is home to many artistic treasures. The “Persephone” sculpture returned. The “Friends of the Ostpark” helped. They wanted to restore the destroyed graves. They also wanted to protect Benno Elkan’s artworks.
The Ostenfriedhof is a park-like green space. It covers about 16 hectares. Many famous Dortmund citizens are buried here. Old graves have artistic monuments. They show the wealth of families who rest here.
The Grabmonument der Eheleute Franz Röttgers is a poignant reminder of love and loss. It is an important part of the Ostenfriedhof. It invites reflection on life and remembrance. It reminds us of those who came before us in Dortmund.