“Test all things hold fast to that which is good” This inscription greets you at the Mennonitenfriedhof. This small cemetery in Hamburg’s Bahrenfeld district holds a significant piece of Hamburg’s history. It is the smallest cemetery in the entire Hanseatic city. Only 6932 square meters big.
The Mennonitenfriedhof wasn’t always here. Its original location was on Grosse Roosenstrasse. In 1873 however the community was granted this new site. Initially only for Mennonite members burial here was later opened to all.
A unique feature of the Mennonitenfriedhof is a cemetery within a cemetery. When the old cemetery was closed in 1936 for redevelopment 88 sandstone grave slabs were moved. Many came from large family vaults. They were carefully placed in two rows. A hedge surrounds them. A pathway runs down the middle. A memorial stands at the end. It commemorates those whose remains found a new resting place here.
These grave slabs are under monument protection. They are a treasure trove of history. Many bear the names of prominent Mennonite merchant families from Hamburg. Some inscriptions are in Dutch. This reflects the families’ origins. Family crests and house marks adorn the stones. The oldest slab dates back to 1679.
Take your time to explore the Mennonitenfriedhof. Notice the meticulous landscaping. The grounds are well-maintained. It offers lawn graves for earth and urn burials. Anonymous burial plots are also available. Even today the Mennonitenfriedhof serves as a place of rest and remembrance for the community and beyond. It’s a quiet testament to the enduring legacy of the Mennonites in Hamburg. A peaceful reminder of lives lived and legacies left behind. The Mennonitenfriedhof whispers stories from the past. It reminds us that even in the smallest spaces history can flourish.