Friedhof Pankow I

Why was Friedhof Pankow I once a bustling cemetery, but now a peaceful park? Here at the corner of Wilhelm-Kuhr-Straße and Kreuzstraße, Friedhof Pankow I whispers tales of Pankow’s past. Opened in 1841, Friedhof Pankow I was Pankow’s first municipal cemetery. It was initially called “Pankower Gemeindefriedhof”. The cemetery became necessary as the old churchyard at the “Zu den Vier Evangelisten” church could no longer accommodate the growing population. Imagine the somber processions making their way here, carrying loved ones to their final resting place. In 1865, a small chapel was built at the north end of the main path. This chapel offered solace and a place for final goodbyes. However, Pankow continued to grow. By 1871, Friedhof Pankow II was opened to meet the increasing need for burial space. A prominent figure buried at Friedhof Pankow I is Hermann Killisch von Horn, a lawyer, journalist, and entrepreneur who died in 1886. In 1904, a grand mausoleum designed by architect Christian Friedrich Malingriaux was erected for him. Killisch von Horn was likely originally buried in his private park, which later became the Bürgerpark. His remains were then moved to the mausoleum. The wrought-iron fence that surrounds Friedhof Pankow I was added in 1908. The chapel, however, was renovated in 1936 and sadly demolished in 1953/54. By 1971, Friedhof Pankow I was closed and many of the graves were cleared. Some significant graves and tombstones were preserved. Others from different Pankow cemeteries were moved here. This created a unique Friedhofspark, a blend of history and green space within the Bürgerpark. Today, Friedhof Pankow I offers a tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. It’s a place for quiet reflection, a reminder of Pankow’s history, and a testament to the lives that shaped this community.