Grabstelle Werner Seelenbinder

Werner Seelenbinder’s life was a fusion of athletic prowess and unwavering political conviction. Here at his Grabstelle, in the Werner-Seelenbinder-Sportpark, we remember a man who defied a tyrannical regime. The Grabstelle Werner Seelenbinder isn’t just a grave. It’s a testament to the courage of an athlete turned resistance fighter. Born in Stettin in 1904, Seelenbinder moved to Berlin with his family in 1909. He became a skilled wrestler, winning six German championships. He even competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, achieving fourth place. But his story goes beyond the wrestling mat. A staunch communist, Seelenbinder used his international sporting connections to work against the Nazis. He became a courier, distributing anti-Nazi materials and information. This was incredibly risky. He was constantly under Gestapo surveillance. His apartment in the Palisadenstraße, later Glatzer Straße, became a hub for clandestine meetings. His refusal to perform the Hitler salute after winning the German championship in 1933 landed him in jail. It foreshadowed his unwavering resistance. In 1942, the Gestapo arrested Seelenbinder for his involvement with the Uhrig resistance group. He was imprisoned, enduring brutal conditions. He was sentenced to death by the Volksgerichtshof and executed at Brandenburg-Görden Prison on October 24, 1944. His final letter, written shortly before his execution, speaks volumes about his spirit. He expressed pride in his actions, his love for his friends and comrades, and his unwavering belief in a better future. His remains were cremated at Brandenburg Crematorium. But his legacy lived on. After the war, his urn was brought here, to the Sportpark Neukölln, which was renamed the Werner-Seelenbinder-Kampfbahn in his honor. The Grabstelle Werner Seelenbinder serves as a poignant reminder of his sacrifice. It also honors all German athletes who perished fighting against fascism and war. It’s a place where we reflect on the courage of those who dared to resist, even in the face of overwhelming odds.