Sankt Nicolai und Sankt Marien Friedhof II

Nestled behind the bustling Prenzlauer Allee lies Sankt Nicolai und Sankt Marien Friedhof II. This tranquil oasis holds tales of Berlin’s past, echoing with the whispers of those who rest here. Sankt Nicolai und Sankt Marien Friedhof II opened in 1857. It served the congregations of St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas Churches. Originally, the land was a vineyard, transformed into a serene resting place. The main entrance was at Prenzlauer Allee No. 7, concealing the cemetery behind a row of houses. Sankt Nicolai und Sankt Marien Friedhof II closed in 1970, only to briefly reopen after German reunification in 1991. Then it finally closed again in 1995. The church attempted to sell the land around 2005. This sparked conflict with local residents. A compromise was reached, dividing the land into three parts. One part was sold for housing. Another became the Leisepark, a quiet green space for the public. The last part returned to its original purpose, a place of burial. Today, Sankt Nicolai und Sankt Marien Friedhof II shares the Trauerhalle (mourning hall) with the neighboring Georgen-Parochialgemeinde cemetery. A passage through the cemetery wall connects them. The cemetery administration on Greifswalder Straße manages both cemeteries. Among the notable figures resting here are writer Jochen Berg, musician André Greiner-Pol, biophysicist Reinhart Heinrich, actress Maria Kwiatkowsky, activist Ludwig Mehlhorn, and director Petra Tschörtner. Robert Saake’s war memorial, erected in 1927, still stands. It silently testifies to the passage of time and the enduring memory of those lost. Sankt Nicolai und Sankt Marien Friedhof II offers a unique blend of history, tranquility, and remembrance. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine.