A weathered sandstone cross stands silently. It marks the oldest grave in Friedhof Grünwinkel. This Karlsruhe cemetery whispers tales of centuries. It’s more than just a resting place. It’s a living testament to Grünwinkel’s history.
Friedhof Grünwinkel wasn’t always a cemetery. The village of Grünwinkel itself is younger than Karlsruhe. In 1710 Markgräfin Sibylla Augusta founded it. She established an agrarian colony. Eighteen families settled there creating the village of “Kreenwinkel”. Initially residents attended services in nearby Bulach Daxlanden and Mühlburg. They were part of the Daxlanden parish. A simple wooden chapel was erected in 1759. It was later replaced by a more substantial structure in 1913. This chapel was moved to its current location near the Alb river due to infrastructural developments. A burial ground was established near the Alb around the same time.
The cemetery’s story is intertwined with the Sinner family. In the 1820s Anton Sinner a chemist began operating a paint factory on the former margravial estate. His son Georg transformed it into a thriving enterprise in 1849. This included a brewery vinegar and pressed yeast factory. The Sinner company expanded in the early 20th century. It became a significant player in the food industry both domestically and internationally. This industrial success shaped Grünwinkel’s growth.
Another notable figure rests here in field 2. Peter Schuster known as “Schupi” founded the “Badisch Bähn” folk theatre in 1982. Field 4 near the entrance to a lower area holds that ancient 1793 sandstone cross. The 1.5 hectare site expanded in 1996. It incorporated a former allotment garden area.
The 1956 chapel designed by architect Johannes Auler was renovated in 1992. The chapel features grave tablets dedicated to the Sinner family. In the entrance area a memorial stands for those who fell in both world wars. One memorial honours August Dosenbach. A member of the Communist Party of Germany he resisted Nazism. He was shot by the Gestapo in 1933. Friedhof Grünwinkel’s quiet stones recount stories of industry faith and resistance. They reflect the life and soul of this Karlsruhe neighbourhood. It’s a place where history and community peacefully coexist.