Krematorium

Why did the Krematorium in Brandenburg an der Havel resemble a monastery? The design, by Stadtbaurat Moritz Wolf, was a deliberate choice. It aimed to create a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere, a stark contrast to the horrific acts carried out within its walls during World War II. The Krematorium, built between 1925 and 1926 alongside the Hauptfriedhof, stands on the northern slope of Marienberg. Its history is a blend of solemn beginnings and dark chapters. Initially, it served its intended purpose. The first urn interred belonged to Oberbürgermeister Walther Ausländer, a poignant start for the newly opened facility in 1926. However, the rise of the Nazi regime cast a long shadow over the Krematorium. It became a key location in the Aktion T4 euthanasia program. From 1940, the Nazis used the Krematorium to dispose of the bodies of those deemed “unworthy of life.” Thousands of victims, including children, were murdered in a gas chamber disguised as a shower. The crematorium’s ovens worked overtime, erasing the evidence of these horrific crimes. The smoke and the smell of burning flesh became a chilling presence in the city. The Krematorium’s connection to Brandenburg-Görden Prison added another layer of tragedy. The prison housed a central execution site for the Nazis. Many of those executed there were then cremated at the Krematorium on Marienberg. Among them was Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer who refused to serve in Hitler’s army. Remarkably, amidst this systematic extermination, a small act of defiance occurred. The Krematorium staff, going against protocol, labelled Jägerstätter’s urn with his name and details. This allowed his remains to be returned to his family after the war. The horrors didn’t end with the euthanasia program. During the final days of the war, hundreds of bomb victims and refugees were also buried in a mass grave near the Krematorium. Today, the Krematorium in Brandenburg an der Havel still stands. It serves as a stark reminder of a dark period in history, a place where serenity and atrocity intertwined. The building, intended as a place of peaceful transition, became a cog in the Nazi killing machine. It stands as a memorial, prompting us to remember the victims and learn from the past.