Lost in the serene expanse of Loschwitzer Friedhof a sense of tranquility washes over you. This is not just any cemetery. It is the second still-in-use burial ground of Loschwitz a district in Dresden. Loschwitzer Friedhof holds a significant place in Dresden’s history and culture.
Dedicated around 1800 it replaced the older graveyard of the Loschwitz church. The cemetery’s significance lies in the many artists buried here. Their artistic legacy is evident in the numerous valuable funerary sculptures. This artistic richness is why Loschwitzer Friedhof is a protected monument. Since 1985 it has held this prestigious status.
Notice the chapel added in 1893. Architect Friedrich Reuter designed it. The stained-glass windows are the work of Wilhelm Walther. He also created the famous Fürstenzug in Dresden. The Crucifixion scene above the central portal is a masterpiece by Leipzig sculptor Johannes Hartmann. The chapel bell inscribed Frieden meaning peace was cast in 1947 by Friedrich Wilhelm Schilling from Apolda.
The cemetery has a unique layout. It resembles a meadow. Over time expansions reached towards Loschwitz’s old village center. Today it features an older section a newer part opened in 1918 and an area for urn burials completed in 1927.
The 2002 Elbe flood devastated many of the cemetery’s trees and plants. However the community rallied. Volunteers worked tirelessly to restore the beauty of Loschwitzer Friedhof. Their dedication stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of this place.
Many artists who lived in the Loschwitz Artists’ House across the street are buried here. Over 60 graves are considered artistically significant. Walter Arnold created his own grave sculpture Es gibt kein fremdes Leid meaning There is no strange hurt. Hermann Glöckner’s gravestone is the work of Peter Makolies. Josef Hegenbarth designed his own grave. Eduard Leonhardi’s grave features a striking sculpture Anklopfender Pilger meaning Knocking Pilgrim by Robert Henze. Friedrich Press and Sascha Schneider both crafted their own impressive grave sculptures. Oskar Zwintscher’s grave holds the sculpture Jüngling mit gesenkter Fackel meaning Youth with Lowered Torch by Sascha Schneider. Willy Wolff and Annemarie Balden-Wolff share a sculpture created by Willy himself.
Friedrich Press’s imposing Tod mit Bombe meaning Death with Bomb is a poignant piece. Created in 1945 it depicts Death carrying a bomb and a scythe. It serves as a memorial to the victims of the Dresden bombing. Paul Pleißner the watchmaker for whom it was originally intended lost his business in the raids.
Loschwitzer Friedhof is more than just a resting place. It is a living testament to artistic creativity resilience and the enduring power of memory. Walk among these stones. Let the stories of Loschwitzer Friedhof resonate within you.