Hidden Leipzig: A walk through the South Cemetery in Leipzig
A place of superlatives
In the south of Leipzig, very close to the Völkerschlachtdenkmal, is the Südfriedhof Leipzig. In many ways, it is a cemetery of superlatives. With its 78 hectares, it is the largest cemetery in Leipzig. In addition, a 60-metre-high bell tower sits enthroned in the center of the grounds. Together with the crematorium and the columbarium, the chapel building forms the largest cemetery building in Germany.
Total work of art in Art Nouveau style
The first grave was dug as early as 1886. The incorporation of surrounding villages and the steadily growing population due to industrialization meant that a new cemetery was urgently needed. However, architect Hugo Licht and horticultural director Otto Wittenberg wanted to create not just another resting place, but a total work of art in Art Nouveau style. The grounds were therefore laid out in the shape of a lime leaf. The builders thus refer to Leipzig's original Slavic name: "The place where the lime trees stand."
Artful graves and Leipzig celebrities
The southern cemetery was not very popular at first. The people of Leipzig still wanted to be buried in the Johannisfriedhof cemetery. This eventually changed when the trees and plants began to grow and the park character became visible. In addition, St. John's Cemetery was soon bursting at the seams. To date, around 560,000 Leipzig residents have found their final resting place in the South Cemetery - including countless important entrepreneurs, scientists, artists and architects. Some famous names on the gravestones are Georg Schwarz, Lene Voigt or the Baedecker publishing family. Many of the resting places are of high artistic value and are monuments. Burials of coffins and urns still take place today.
Nature and biodiversity
From rhododendron bushes up to four meters high, amber trees, mahonias and ornamental cherries to primeval sequoias, weeping ash trees, antler trees, ginkgos and various species of lime tree - the park-like resting place impresses with an enormous variety of plants. That's why you can hear the chirping of 60 breeding bird species everywhere when you walk around the grounds in spring and summer. Squirrels also climb in the trees and, with a bit of luck, you might spot rabbits or foxes in the quiet morning and evening hours.
Discover Leipzig South Cemetery
Curious now? You can also discover Leipzig South Cemetery as part of a guided tour.
The meeting point is located directly at the entrance at Prager Straße 212b. Tickets for adults cost €10 and are available both online and on site. Further information can be found here. For current information, dates and restrictions, please contact the organizer.
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