A sea of stone soldiers, frozen in silent tribute. Here at the Sowjetisches Ehrenmal und Soldatenfriedhof Obelisk, the air is thick with stories. This memorial and cemetery, located in Berlin’s Schönholzer Heide, stands as a stark reminder of the devastating Battle of Berlin. The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal und Soldatenfriedhof Obelisk isn’t just a memorial; it’s the largest Soviet cemetery in Berlin, and even in Europe outside of Russia. Construction began in May 1947, just two years after the war’s end. By November 1949, this sprawling 30,000 square meter site was complete. The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal und Soldatenfriedhof Obelisk serves as the final resting place for 13,200 Soviet soldiers who fell during the Battle of Berlin. Imagine, out of the 80,000 Soviet soldiers who perished, only a fraction found their final peace here. One hundred bronze tablets, etched with names, ranks, and birthdates, line the walls. These represent just a fifth of the identified fallen. At the heart of the Sowjetisches Ehrenmal und Soldatenfriedhof Obelisk, a majestic 33.5-meter syenite obelisk pierces the sky. Flanking this central axis are eight burial chambers, holding the remains of 1,182 soldiers. Deep within the obelisk’s Honor Hall lie two Soviet colonels, their stories forever intertwined with this solemn place. Before the obelisk, a statue of Mother Russia stands watch. A grieving figure, she embodies the immense loss suffered during the war. Her pedestal, crafted from black porphyry, holds 42 bronze tablets inscribed with the names of fallen officers. The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal und Soldatenfriedhof Obelisk stands as a powerful symbol of sacrifice and remembrance, a poignant echo of a world at war. It invites reflection on the human cost of conflict and the enduring power of memory.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in