Ever heard of a cemetery designed to blend seamlessly with the forest? That’s Waldfriedhof Hennigsdorf. It is not just a final resting place. It is a testament to landscape architecture.
Waldfriedhof Hennigsdorf was created in 1925. Its design comes from Ludwig Lesser. Lesser was Berlin’s first freelance garden architect. Some say he was Germany’s first.
Lesser aimed to integrate the cemetery into the surrounding woods. He used a natural dune to create a forest cemetery. This gives the place a unique character.
Ludwig Lesser belonged to a new wave of garden architects. They wanted to reform garden design. He believed architects and garden designers should work together. This would connect buildings to their gardens. Lesser also championed the idea of public parks.
He designed many landscapes. These included small gardens, villa gardens, cemeteries and parks for health resorts. You can still find his work in and around Berlin today. Lesser’s planning office closed in 1933. He then emigrated in 1939.
Sadly, much information about his work was lost. This happened because his office closed and he emigrated. However, his influence remains visible, especially in Berlin. Examples include the forecourt of Hermsdorf S-Bahn station, Gartenstadt Staaken and Frohnau Cemetery.
At Waldfriedhof Hennigsdorf, you can choose different burial options. There are plots for traditional burials and for urns. You can select a plot and extend its use. Or you can opt for a standard plot with a fixed term that cannot be extended.
Besides Waldfriedhof Hennigsdorf, there is another cemetery in Stolpe Süd. Hennigsdorf also has memorial cemeteries at Rathenaupark and Stolpe Süd. These cemeteries cover nearly 95,000 square meters. This includes green spaces, woods, paths and burial sites. About 10,000 square meters are paths. There are also 800 square meters of planted areas. Workers maintain 6,500 meters of hedges.
In 2013, the German Horticultural Society made amends. It had dismissed Ludwig Lesser in 1933. The society posthumously named him honorary president. Streets in Potsdam and Bad Saarow-Pieskow now bear his name. Hennigsdorf has one too.
Waldfriedhof Hennigsdorf is more than a burial ground. It’s a place where nature and memory intertwine. It reminds us of Ludwig Lesser’s vision. He shaped landscapes that connect with the human spirit. As you wander through, reflect on the landscape. It’s a peaceful place for reflection. It honors those who rest here. It celebrates the beauty of thoughtful design.