Contemplate this green space. This is the Friedhof Oerlikon. It is a place of peace in the heart of Zurich. This cemetery has a rich history and unique features.
Oerlikon became an independent community in 1872. This happened due to the new Nordostbahn railway line. The area became an industrial location. It experienced a rapid population increase. A dedicated cemetery was needed. Stadtgärtner Rodolf Blattner designed it. The Friedhof Oerlikon was inaugurated in 1876.
In 1890, the Friedhofskapelle was built. It served for lessons and church services. The cemetery expanded westward in 1900. The mortuary, now a service building, was built in 1901. By the 1940s, the Friedhof Oerlikon was full. Oerlikon residents were then buried in Friedhof Nordheim.
The Friedhof Oerlikon officially closed in 1995. Burials are now limited to family graves. A new Gemeinschaftsgrab was built in 1998. The cemetery gained historical significance. In 2004, the Friedhof Oerlikon and twelve graves became protected monuments.
The Friedhof Oerlikon is in a suburban residential area. It is bordered by Schwamendinger-, Friedacker-, Magdalenen- and Salvatorstrasse. The layout is nearly rectangular. The entrance leads to the neo-Gothic Friedhofskapelle. Columnar conifers frame it. Solitary plane trees stand between the chapel and the former mortuary. This axis reflects the original symmetry from 1876. This symmetry existed before the 1900 expansion.
The city of Zurich decided to create a modern Gemeinschaftsgrab here. This maintains the Friedhof Oerlikon’s function as a burial site. It goes beyond traditional Reihengrabbestattung. Florin Granwehr and Hansjörg Jauch designed the Gemeinschaftsgrab in 1998.
Today, the Friedhof Oerlikon offers a serene escape. It is surrounded by urban life. Its historical buildings and thoughtful design provide a unique atmosphere. Take a moment to appreciate the tranquility of this special place. Remember the stories and history within these grounds.