In "My Melaten" the former master builder Barbara Schock-Werner shows the stories behind the graves of the Melaten cemetery in Cologne.
Cologne – The Melaten Cemetery in Cologne is known far beyond the city limits.
After all, in addition to well-known politicians such as Guido Westerwelle, celebrities such as Gisela Uhlen, Dirk Bach, Willi Ostermann, Alfred Biolek, Willy Millowitsch and Willi Herren are buried on the Melaten.
Melaten Cemetery in Cologne: The history of the graves
The cemetery is 435,000 square meters and today has 55,540 graves.
And behind each individual there is a story of their own.
Barbara Schock-Werner knows that too.
The art historian, architect, monument conservator and former master builder explored the stories of the cemetery in her new book "My Melaten".
A new Melaten guide has been created that presents 170 particularly impressive graves and tells stories of extraordinary women and men who are buried in the central cemetery in the Cologne-Lindenthal district, reports 24RHEIN.
+
The Melaten Cemetery in Cologne is 435,000 square meters and today has 55,540 graves - some very special (IDZRW Montage)
© Nina Gschlössl & Nina Gschlössl
"My Melaten": Book by Barbara Schock-Werner about the Melaten cemetery in Cologne
But which grave sites did the author remember in particular?
“When I was exploring the cemetery, I remembered many graves for a variety of reasons.
But especially the tomb for Maria Catharina Urbach, which for me contains the most beautiful confession of love in the cemetery with the absolutely touching epitaph,” says the 74-year-old in an interview with the IPPEN.MEDIA service 24RHEIN.
The reason: Caspar Josef Urbach had a large tombstone with a white marble slab erected in memory of his wife Maria Catharina, who died young in 1819 at the age of 25.
The grave inscription shows "love, longing, despair that he was left behind with three children," Schock-Werner writes in her book.
Melaten Cemetery in Cologne: 5 graves with a special history
On around 450 pages, the former master builder guides you through the secrets and graves of Melat.
The book was published by Greven-Verlag Cologne in June.
When asked which five graves one should definitely see in the Melaten Cemetery, the author “can think of a number of them for a wide variety of reasons”.
Below:
► The grave of the timber merchant Broelsch (*1812 – ✝1884):
The grave is a work by the sculptor Wilhelm Albermann and according to the author of “Mein Melaten” it is “extremely worth seeing” due to its quality.
For Barbara Schock-Werner, Albermann's work on the wood merchant's grave is "one of his best works".
► The grave of Anna Maria von Haupt (*1787 – ✝1861):
Although the grave itself is relatively inconspicuous, Schock-Werner is convinced by the story.
"Despite having two husbands, the deceased appears on the tombstone under her maiden name
von Haupt
," explains the author.
► Tomb of the pastor of Cologne city center:
The tomb is particularly impressive.
The reason: "With the large sculpture of a kneeling Christ who frees a lamb from a thorn hedge," says the woman from Cologne.
There is also a writing with the request "to pray for the pastors of Cologne's old town who are resting there."
► Tomb of Emil and Laura Oelbermann (*1833 - ✝1897) and (*1846 - ✝1929):
Another beautiful sculpture, coupled with the impressive story of the woman who is buried there, can be found at the tomb of Emil and Laura Oelbermann “, says Schock-Werner.
"The standing angel made of radiant white marble tells of the wealth of those buried there." In addition, the life and work of Laura Oelbermann was extremely exciting after the death of her husband, emphasizes the 74-year-old.
► Grave of the Carthusian priest Joseph Becker (✝1812):
The burial site is convincing with its history.
Not only the Carthusian priest Joseph Becker, who died in 1812 and who was called the “Tulip King of Cologne” because of his fondness for growing tulips, resides here.
The body parts of people who had to be examined by forensic medicine are also buried here.
"My Melaten" | |
Author: | Barbara Schock-Werner |
ISBN: | 978-3-7743-0943-2 |
Publisher: | Greven Verlag Cologne |
Price: | 32 euros |
About the author:
Prof. Dr.
Barbara Schock-Werner was Cologne Cathedral architect from 1999 to 2012.
She studied architecture with a focus on monument preservation and art history.
Cathedral builders are responsible, among other things, for the preservation of Cologne Cathedral.
(jw) Fair and independent information about what's happening in Cologne and NRW - subscribe to our free 24RHEIN newsletter here.