Berlin Heritage – Cemeteries and Historic Persons

History from an Unexpected Perspective – Berlin’s Famous Cemeteries

Discover Berlin’s past on a unique excursion — led by Dr. Gunnar Strunz, an expert on historical sites and cultural-historical contexts. With a keen sense for atmosphere and detail, he will guide you to two of the city’s most significant cemeteries, bringing the past vividly to life.

Start

The meeting point is Café May, Chausseestraße 21. After a brief introduction with coffee or tea, Dr. Strunz will take you on a journey through history, art, and memory – along paths stretching from the glory of Prussian times to the present day.

Fame and Transience

The first stop is the Dorotheenstädtischer Friedhof (Cemetery), probably Berlin’s most famous burial ground. Here, notable figures such as Karl Friedrich Schinkel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Bertolt Brecht, and Johannes Rau rest. The elaborately designed tombs, ancient trees, and quiet paths create a place where history can be felt.

Iron and Memory

Next, the route continues along Hannoversche and Hessische Streets until it reaches Invalidenstraße, passing the former Royal Iron Foundry, where nearly all of Berlin’s metal grave crosses were once produced. Through the nearby Invalidenpark, you will arrive at the impressive granite sculpture “Sunken Wall.”

Prussian Heroes and Quiet Graves

The final stop is the Invalidenfriedhof. Originally the resting place of high-ranking Prussian officers, it tells stories of wars, power, and change. Today, around two hundred graves remain. The highlight is the tomb of General Gerhard von Scharnhorst: with the sleeping lion atop two 5.6-meter-high marble plinths, it is considered a masterpiece of neoclassical funerary art.

Lunch at Due Fratelli

To conclude, Dr. Strunz will accompany you to a two-course lunch at the restaurant Due Fratelli. Over good food and stimulating conversation, the walk comes to a relaxed close – the perfect opportunity to reflect on the experience and enjoy the day.