To the north of the city of Hamburg is the district of Ohlsdorf. Opened in 1877, the cemetery allows us to trace the history of Germany almost from its creation to the present day. Not only is it a historical cemetery, but it is the largest in the world, since it has an extension of 391 hectares. With more than 280,000 tombstones, it is estimated that up to 1.7 million people rest there. In its facilities there are up to 13 different chapels built in different architectural styles.
Various memorials can be seen in the cemetery today. We can find memories of the victims of National Socialism, those of the allied air raids and of course, soldiers. The cemeteries of both British and German soldiers from the two world wars stand out.
As it is a large cemetery, the victims of the Neuengamme concentration camp also rest there. This concentration camp did not have its own crematorium until 1942, so the victims from the years 1940 to 1942 are found in the historic Ohlsdorf cemetery.
The cemetery is today a space of historical interest open to the public. So that the visitor can access all the information about the place, a small museum has been set up that narrates the evolution of this cemetery.
How to get to Ohlsdorf Central Cemetery
The Ohlsdorf Central Cemetery is located in the neighborhood of the same name, north of the city of Hamburg. The best way to get there is by taking the S1 train to the Ohlsdorf stop.