Friedhof Hovenstraße

Gazing upon Friedhof Hovenstraße, a sense of history washes over you. This isn’t just a cemetery. It’s a storybook of Cologne’s Brück district, etched in stone and whispered on the wind. Friedhof Hovenstraße opened in 1882. The land was a gift from a generous soul, Brück landowner Carl Theodor Hoven. He donated it to the Merheim municipality. A central path leads you through Friedhof Hovenstraße, drawing your eye to the grand high cross. It dates back to around 1900 and has been lovingly restored. As you stroll along the main path, notice the aged gravestones. They stand as silent witnesses to the Friedhof’s early days. The Ingerfeld family plot, with its first burial in 1907, features a striking wall tomb. It’s crafted from Belgian granite and adorned with a cross stele. The Ingerfelds were a prominent Brück family. They ran a popular grocery store on Olpener Straße. It was known for stocking just about everything. Nearby, the Herkenrath family plot from around 1900 features a cross stele entwined with ivy. Further along, you’ll find the grave of the celebrated “fuule Weet” Alfons Weiden (1890-1970). He rests within the Wessel family plot, where the first burial took place in 1920. Remember Dr. Heinrich Odenthal, a beloved Brück physician (1893-1981). His bronze relief depicts a crescent moon. It bears the poignant inscription: “The Way”. Christ points this way to a family, adding another layer to the story of Friedhof Hovenstraße. Beyond the high cross, more graves unfold. These were added in the 1930s, during the cemetery’s first expansion. Among them is the grave of sculptor Barbian (circa 1939). A rectangular stele depicts a crucifixion scene. It carries the inscription: “It is determined in God’s council that one must part from the dearest thing one has.” Friedhof Hovenstraße continues to evolve. Yet it retains its serene charm. It stands as a poignant testament to the lives lived and loved in Brück.