Rows of neatly aligned headstones greet you. Welcome to Friedhof am Fließtal. This peaceful cemetery in Reinickendorf wasn’t always here. Its story begins in the 1970s. Berlin’s Märkisches Viertel was booming. The population exploded. Existing cemeteries couldn’t keep up. A new one was desperately needed.
This 8.8-hectare plot was chosen. It lay north of Waidmannsluster Damm near Titusweg. Before becoming a final resting place it was farmland. A farmer grew rye here until 1970. The land bordered the Tegeler Fließ a picturesque stream. The Reinickendorf district council owned the land.
The architects Fehling and Gogel were tasked with the design. They envisioned a structured cemetery not a sprawling landscape. Their plan was for a precisely organized space. The result is a striking contrast to older Berlin cemeteries. It lacks monumental mausoleums or elaborate statues. Yet it possesses a unique beauty.
The cemetery’s layout is remarkably orderly. Rectangular sections are precisely defined. A diverse range of trees and shrubs are planted. This creates an almost park-like atmosphere. Many graves are lovingly tended with flowers and plants. However since 2006 no new earth burials are permitted. Some areas are now overgrown creating a wild and natural contrast to the manicured plots.
The main entrance is on Waidmannsluster Damm. The Hamburger Autobahnzubringer borders the cemetery to the west. The Tegeler Fließ forms its northern boundary. The Borsigsiedlungen housing developments lie to the east. A large parking lot provides convenient access. The cemetery offers a tranquil escape from the city. It is more than just a graveyard. It’s a serene green space. A testament to careful planning and a unique piece of Berlin’s history.