We offer four different themed tours of Karlsruhe's main cemetery to cover the entire spectrum of the park cemetery.
Peace and quiet – far outside the city: Karlsruhe Main Cemetery
Karlsruhe Main Cemetery is one of the oldest park cemeteries in Germany and served as a model for many other cemeteries in the 19th century. Different forms of grave design, burial, and commemoration have existed throughout history and across cultures. We will take you to architecturally interesting tombs, graves of famous personalities (e.g., Hermann Billing, Hans Thoma, Karl Weltzien, Karl Friedrich Drais, and Reinhold Frank), burial sites of various religious communities, and special memorials. Join us as we take a look at the "Last Garden" and the "Small Chapel" and learn more about traditions, social backgrounds, and burial rituals.
1) Funeral rites of different cultures and faiths
We visit Christian, Far Eastern, Muslim, and specially designed burial grounds and cemeteries, as well as fields for anonymous or other forms of burial. We also explain the differences between Christian and Jewish cemeteries.
2) Gravestones and their symbolism
Modern gravestones, structures from the Art Nouveau period, or from the time when the cemetery was established 150 years ago often conceal mysterious symbolism. The old family graves are among the special treasures of the main cemetery. We simply walk past some "signs." What does the "cloak of conscience" mean and what does it look like? Join us on a short journey through time, where you will learn about many signs and their meanings.
3) Mausoleum, former crematorium, garden architecture, and special burial sites
The cemetery has a lot to offer in terms of both individual buildings and overall garden architecture. Examples include the imposing entrance area of the cemetery, the small chapel (originally built as a crematorium), and the Bürklin mausoleum. We showcase Durm's garden architecture concept, as well as new grave sites such as the "Kerzenhain" (candle grove), which reflects changing types and forms of burial.
4) Graves of famous personalities
Many well-known and prominent people have found their final resting place in the main cemetery. These include Drais, the inventor of the walking bike, the painter Hans Thoma, the president of the Baden Red Cross Sisters, the designer Luigi Colani, the poet Viktor von Scheffel, and Marie Curiel, after whom one of the cemetery paths is named. The tour takes you to these and many other "celebrity graves."
