Ever wondered where Bonn’s elite found their final resting place? The von Carstanjen Mausoleum stands before us. It is more than just a tomb. This cultural and architectural gem offers insights into Bonn’s past.
Wilhelm Adolf von Carstanjen commissioned this grand structure. He was a banker and entrepreneur. The Mausoleum was built in 1895 and 1896. It was part of his estate’s expansion. The von Carstanjen Mausoleum served as a family burial site. August Hartel and Skjold Neckelmann designed it in 1889. Johannes Kleefisch also contributed to its construction.
Adolf von Carstanjen was the first to be buried here. He died shortly after its completion. His wife Adele vom Rath joined him five years later. Moritz von Carstanjen and Robert von Carstanjen also rest here. Gisela Freifrau von Rheinbaben was interred in 1980. Martin von Carstanjen was the last family member buried here in 2005. His ashes marked the first urn burial.
For years the Mausoleum fell into disrepair. It suffered from water damage and erosion. Vandalism also took its toll. Graves were opened. Headstones were smashed. Walls were defaced with graffiti.
Interestingly the Mausoleum hosted a theater premiere in 1997. Christoph Klimke’s play “Die Blutsbrüder” was performed here before renovations.
Around 2005, a transformation began. Wolfgang Picken, a local priest, envisioned a public urn burial site. The Bürgerstiftung Rheinviertel was founded. It aimed to create a Christian burial ground for everyone. After Martin von Carstanjen’s death, the idea became reality. Martin Hamm, the family’s executor, established the von Carstanjen Foundation.
The foundation’s mission? Preserve and utilize the Mausoleum. Martin von Carstanjen’s inheritance funded the project. The renovation cost 200,000 EUR. Dieter Husmann, a Bonn architect, led the redesign.
In June 2006, the renovated von Carstanjen Mausoleum opened. The Bonn Beethoven Orchestra played at the opening. Jürgen Rüttgers, then Minister President, attended. In 2007, the Bürgerstiftung became the owner. They leased it to St. Andreas and Evergislus parish.
Today, it holds up to 3,000 urn graves. Funeral services take place in the rotunda. Urns are interred in the crypt’s burial chambers. Names of the deceased are on metal plates. They adorn the building’s balustrade and park.
The park is open during church hours. The Mausoleum opens for burials and memorials. Occasionally, concerts are held here. A burial plot for 15 to 25 years costs 1,100 to 1,800 EUR. Afterward, ashes are scattered in the park. About 90% of the Mausoleum’s revenue funds the Bürgerstiftung’s projects. By 2015, over 300 people were buried here. Notable figures include Ernst J. Kiphard and Thomas Schneeberger.
The von Carstanjen Mausoleum’s architecture is striking. It is a freestanding, temple-like structure of light sandstone. A columned portico graces the front. A rear extension adds to its presence. It sits on a raised stone platform. A wrought-iron fence surrounds the rectangular plot.
From the Rhine, a grand staircase leads to the Mausoleum. From Auerhofstraße, a modest path provides access. The building showcases historicism. The four-column portico features neo-antique design.
Inside and out, details abound. Ionic sandstone columns surround it. Relief bands display organic and geometric motifs. Ornamented inscriptions add character. The interior has epitaphs and mosaic floors. The dome features a tambour, coffered ceiling, and lantern. Twelve windows provide ample sunlight.
Bronze doors mark the entrance. Marble busts of Adolf and Adele von Carstanjen are inside. A metal floor plate reads: “Denket mit Liebe an uns – Adolf von Carstanjen – 1897.” This plate once allowed coffins to be lowered.
Another bronze door leads to the crypt. It bears a coat of arms and the inscription: “Sie ruhen in Frieden und wir folgen nach.” Two caryatids flank the door. A double staircase descends into the crypt. Eight double columns support the star-ornamented dome. The crypt contains 22 burial chambers. Marble panels separate them. A morning star adorns the floor mosaic.
The von Carstanjen Mausoleum is now a place of rest. It is a symbol of transformation. It blends history, architecture, and community. It offers peace and reflection.