“Rest in peace.” What does that actually mean here at Friedhof Bollschweil? This is not just a burial ground. It’s a journey through Freiburg’s past.
Friedhof Bollschweil offers a serene park. It is a place of reflection. It also offers insights into the lives and beliefs of those who came before us.
From 1683 to 1872, Friedhof Bollschweil served as Freiburg’s main cemetery. Before that, burials occurred at the parish church. That was the Freiburger Muenster in the city center. Concerns about disease led to a relocation in 1515.
The cemetery moved to Neuburg. Fortifications under French rule forced another move north. It came to its current location. Friedhof Bollschweil expanded several times. The last burial took place on All Saints’ Day in 1872.
The city decided to maintain Friedhof Bollschweil. This was dependent on the population honoring their ancestors’ graves. In 1914, the city council permanently protected the site from development. Today, it is a protected monument.
Friedhof Bollschweil spans nearly 2.7 hectares. It is Freiburg’s largest natural monument. Locals use the park-like space for recreation. A stone wall surrounds the area. It provides a sense of seclusion. Kaiser Joseph II ordered its construction in 1788.
Wall niche tombs became highly desirable burial spots. Freiburg professors, clergy, and wealthy families chose this place. Expansions required moving sections of the wall. This meant relocating existing tombs. They were either reinstalled in the new wall sections. Some were set up freely.
A 1904 inventory counted 3460 grave markers. These included stone, wrought iron, and cast iron markers. Wooden crosses marked the graves of poorer people. Once numerous, only about 20 wooden crosses remain. They are susceptible to the weather. An inventory in the 1980s recorded about a third of the original graves. Friedhof Bollschweil has around 1170 grave markers today. It is one of Germany’s largest and oldest preserved cemetery complexes.
The Baroque to Neoclassicism eras come alive here. A visit to Friedhof Bollschweil is a walk through Freiburg’s history. The cemetery is significant culturally. It is a testament to art, history, and faith. Many gravestones preserve the memories. They tell of Freiburg families, personalities, and historical events.
World War II did not spare Friedhof Bollschweil. The Michaelskapelle was built in 1720. It was severely damaged during the war. It was later rebuilt to its original design.
Local lore fills the air. Many eerie tales surround the graves. Guided tours and events take place throughout the year.
The famous architect Johann-Christian Wenzinger secured the cemetery’s future. He stipulated that his large fortune go to a Freiburg foundation. This was only if his grave was secured “for all time” at Friedhof Bollschweil.
The Friends and Sponsors of the Old Cemetery support the city. They help maintain Friedhof Bollschweil. They fund restorations of grave markers, walls, and the St. Michael’s Chapel.
Take a moment here. Consider the layers of history and the lives that shaped Freiburg. Friedhof Bollschweil is more than a cemetery. It is a living archive. It connects us to the past. It also offers a peaceful retreat in the present.