Cemeteries
Forest Cemetery
The Forest Cemetery spans 18.4 hectares and contains approximately 15,000 graves. It offers a range of burial options to accommodate different types of graves. The site includes a large funeral hall with seating for 60 and a prayer room that can accommodate up to 10 people. The cemetery also houses the service yard and administrative offices for the Eberswalde cemeteries. In addition to several war graves, it is the site of the Soviet memorial dedicated to the city of Eberswalde. Surrounded by old trees of various species, shrubs, and ground cover, the cemetery resembles a park. The stands of old cypresses, Douglas firs, and the rhododendron-filled area 42 provide a peaceful atmosphere for strolls and exploration. The cemetery's many historic gravestones offer glimpses into the rich history of Eberswalde. Notable figures from the town’s past, including renowned forestry professors, artists, honorary citizens, master builders, and labor leaders, are buried here, particularly around the historic terraces. The cemetery is highly accessible and includes a disabled toilet.
Finow Cemetery
The Finow Cemetery, located on Biesenthaler Straße in Eberswalde-Finow, spans 3.5 hectares and was established at the end of the 19th century. Due to significant population growth, the original cemetery at the Finow Church became too small, necessitating the creation of a new cemetery on the town’s outskirts. The cemetery is accessed through a portal designed by Wilhelm Hoppe, built in 1911 and restored in 2001/2002. This leads visitors along an old avenue of lime trees to the mourning hall. The funeral hall, constructed in the neo-Gothic style at the beginning of the 20th century, has been renovated and is now modern and welcoming with its updated interior and heating. It provides seating for up to 46 people during funeral services. The cemetery offers a variety of burial options, including urn graves, elective earth graves, anonymous communal urn graves, as well as communal urn graves with a slab and row graves. The sanitary facilities are available during the administration's opening hours.
Kupferhammer Cemetery
The Kupferhammer Cemetery dates back to the settlement of Kupferhammer, which became part of Eberswalde in May 1936. The 3,000 m² burial ground was established in 1905 and remained in use until 2011. Following a decision by the city council on March 25, 2011, to close several cemeteries in the area, the Kupferhammer cemetery was officially closed for new burials. As a result, no new graves will be assigned and the rights to existing elective graves will not be renewed. However, an exception is made for spouses of those already buried there, allowing them to be interred in the cemetery upon request. The period of use for their graves will be extended until the end of the deceased's resting period. The cemetery also features a chapel with simple furnishings and seating for 16 people.
Messingwerk Cemetery
The Messingwerk Cemetery is located on the Messingwerk estate, the oldest factory estate in Brandenburg, with a history spanning over 300 years. Established in 1925/1926, the cemetery was designed as a cohesive burial site. Its brick chapel, wrought-iron fence, and gate form a historic ensemble, which is listed as an architectural monument in Brandenburg. The gate and chapel underwent renovations in 1995/1996, while the fence was replaced between 2005 and 2006. Since 2007, the chapel has been continuously renovated, including repairs to the roof and exterior wall joints. In 2017, parts of the interior were plastered and painted. The cemetery offers various burial options, such as row graves, urn row graves, urn ballot graves and earth graves. However, the cemetery does not have sanitary facilities or electricity supply.
Spechthausen Cemetery
The Spechthausen Cemetery is situated within the settlement surrounding the paper factory. It was established at the beginning of the 19th century as the private property of the Ebart family, who owned it for several generations. The chapel, bearing the inscription "Resting place of the Ebart family," likely dates from this period and is now rarely used for funerals. In 1929, the 5,304 m² cemetery area was transferred to the municipality of Spechthausen, which became a district of Eberswalde in 2006. The cemetery offers urn and earth graves, and plans are in place to introduce an urn grove and a communal urn facility by 2018. The cemetery does not have sanitary facilities or electricity supply.
Old and New Jewish Cemetery
The Old Jewish Cemetery was founded in 1751 on Oderberger Straße, expanded in 1851 and surrounded by a brick wall in 1862. Spanning 975 square meters, the cemetery’s oldest surviving gravestone dates back to 1784. In 1924, a second Jewish cemetery was established next to the Forest Cemetery Eberswalde, which contains 53 gravestones.
FAQ
Immediately after a death, a doctor must be notified to officially confirm the death and issue a death certificate. The next of kin should then be informed to discuss the next steps. A funeral director is selected to transport the body to the mortuary and guide the family through the process. The body should not be moved to the mortuary until at least 24 hours after death and may only be transferred after a post-mortem examination. Next, it’s important to review any relevant contracts and documents related to the deceased’s wishes, such as a will, funeral arrangements, organ donation consent or cremation instructions and have them ready for decision-making.
During the first 36 hours, it's important to secure the deceased's home and care for any animals left behind. Afterward, you should choose a funeral director to manage the funeral arrangements, taking time to compare prices and services. The death must then be registered at the registry office, or the funeral director can handle this registration to obtain an official death certificate. Next, all relevant authorities must be notified about the death, such as the probate court (for the will), health insurance providers, and life or accident insurance companies. The funeral director will also coordinate with the cemetery administration to determine the type, form, and timing of the burial.
A burial is the the act of placing a person's non-cremated body in a grave, whereas interment is the process of putting the urn containing a person's cremated ashes in a permanent resting place.
There are two types of burial. Ground burial involves placing the deceased in a coffin, and graves such as the burial grave, earth row grave, anonymous grave, and meadow grave are used to accommodate the deceased. In cremation, the body is cremated in a crematorium and the remains are interred in an urn, which is then placed in an urn grave. The burial process is only considered complete once the remains are laid to rest. A burial can take place no earlier than 48 hours after death. For earth burials, the funeral should be held on the fifth day at the latest, but no later than ten days after death. In the case of cremation, the deceased must be taken to the crematorium no later than the fourth day after death. The urn must then be interred within three months.
Elective burial sites, also known as family burial sites, are intended for both urns and traditional burials. The term "family burial plot" aptly describes the function of these sites, which are purchased for a 30-year period and can be extended afterward. Elective graves are designed for continuous use and maintenance, typically intended for families who use the same burial site, sometimes for generations.
In contrast, row graves are limited to a usage period of 15 years for urn burials and 20 years for burials. After this period, the grave reverts to the cemetery administration’s responsibility. In row graves, the surrounding planting is determined by the cemetery administration, but the maintenance of the grave itself is managed by the authorized user. Additionally, permanent grave maintenance services can be arranged through grave care companies if desired.
Elective graves are typically maintained by the authorised users. It is also possible to personalise the design of both burial and urn graves, though ongoing care of the grave is required. Grave maintenance can play an important role in the grieving process. However, the extent of individual grave design is regulated by the cemetery statutes.
The following types of graves are prepared and maintained by the cemetery administration: urn and communal burial grounds, as well as special types of burial areas such as urn groves, meadow graves, memorial gardens, and flower meadows.
For elective graves, meadow graves, and communal urn graves with a slab, marking the grave with a grave marker (such as a headstone) in either a horizontal or vertical position is mandatory. In contrast, anonymous burial and communal urn graves are not marked, and the burial occurs without the presence of the next of kin.
For other types of burial, the authorized users have the freedom to decide whether to mark the grave. However, if they choose to add a marker, they must adhere to the regulations set out in the cemetery statutes.
The resting period at the cemeteries of the city of Eberswalde is 15 years for urn graves and 20 years for graves. This is the minimum period during which an urn or coffin must remain undisturbed in the ground, known as the "resting period." For elective graves, the authorised user can purchase the grave site for 30 years, which constitutes the period of use.
As the authorised user, you are responsible for the maintenance of the grave site for the duration of the resting period or the acquired period of use. At the end of the period of use, you may submit an application to relinquish the right of use. This applies to elective graves, where the period of use extends beyond the resting period. In most cases, the relinquishment of a grave site is followed by the clearing of the site. For alternative types of graves, such as the urn grove, the cemetery administration takes over the maintenance of the grave for 15 years.
Only individuals with a certified walking disability are permitted to drive their car into the cemetery. Upon application and for an annual fee of €39, they will receive a driving permit and a key to the gate on Tramper Chaussee.
The top priority should be not to disturb the peace of the dead. A reburial may only take place if there is an important reason. This is not the case if the urn is moved within the statutory resting period of 15 years. After the statutory resting period, urns may be moved if an urn request form has been sent by another cemetery administration. This must state where the urn is to be reinterred. The exhumation and reburial must be carried out by an undertaker. In the case of burial graves, the removal of the body within the burial period is generally prohibited and, in exceptional cases, requires authorisation from the health authorities. If a grave is relinquished by moving the body to another burial site, no money will be refunded and the new grave must be paid for in full.
In Brandenburg, parents are responsible for the burial of live births and miscarriages/stillbirths weighing over 1,000g. If a child is to be buried, the parents must arrange and pay for the funeral. Miscarried or stillborn children weighing less than 1,000g can also be buried by the parents. If you wish to hold a funeral for a miscarriage or stillbirth weighing less than 1,000g, you should specifically request this at the hospital. However, you may also choose to waive your right to burial, in which case the body of your child will be entrusted to the care of the local hospital.
The death of infants is handled with great sensitivity in Eberswalde. The GLG Werner Forßmann Clinical Centre in Eberswalde temporarily cares for the "star children." At regular intervals, children weighing less than 1,000g are buried in a compostable container at the forest cemetery in a communal burial. The burials are organized by members of the Barnim Star Children Initiative. A service at the funeral hall is held, led by hospital chaplain Dr. Andreas Reich. These funerals and services are free of charge for grieving families. The cemetery administration and Sternenkinder Barnim offer their support to families during this difficult time.
Each year, the standing gravestones in the cemeteries of the city of Eberswalde undergo a stability inspection. If any stability issues are detected, the gravestones are documented and marked with a sticker. If the stability of the grave markers can no longer be guaranteed, the authorised user will be instructed to take immediate action. If the issue is not addressed despite a written request from the cemetery administration, the administration may restore the stability at the authorised user's expense. Additionally, if there is an immediate danger, the cemetery staff will remove hazardous stones from their base and place them safely on the grave.
Types of graves
Urn Graves
Choice of urn graves are allocated for a usage period of 30 years. The size of a double urn grave is typically 1.00 m x 1.00 m, with the capacity to accommodate two additional urns. These urn graves are designed and maintained by the next of kin. New burial periods are added to the remaining time of the existing period of use.
Ground Burial
This traditional form of burial is also referred to as a family grave. With a long utilisation period of 30 years and the option to renew, a grave can be used by multiple generations within a family. The burial of additional urns is always possible in elective graves, and further burials can take place after the 20-year period expires. Graves are designed in accordance with the cemetery statutes and maintained by the authorised users. Grave maintenance by professional grave care companies is available. New burial periods are added to the remaining time of the existing period of use.
Graves in Rows
This type of grave is assigned to deceased persons for a period of 20 years. The graves are allocated sequentially, and the responsibility for their care and design lies with the person authorised to use the grave.
Urn Graves in Rows
In the event of death, this type of grave is assigned to the deceased for a period of 15 years. Graves are allocated sequentially, and the responsibility for their maintenance and design rests with the individual authorised to use the grave.
Meadow Graves
Meadow graves are individual burial sites for cremation and urn burials that do not require maintenance by the authorised user. The graves measure 2.50 m x 1.50 m and are covered with grass, with a headstone marking the site. Personal plantings are not permitted. Maintenance is handled by the cemetery administration. The period of use for these graves is between 15 and 20 years.
Anonymous Communal Burial Site
In the case of anonymous communal burial sites, the grave locations of the interred are not marked. The area is covered with grass and maintained by the cemetery administration. During the 20-year period of use, flowers and wreaths can be placed in designated areas.
Anonymous Communal Urn Site
In anonymous communal urn sites, the grave locations of the deceased are not marked. The area is landscaped with grass and maintained by the cemetery administration. During the 15-year period of use, flowers and wreaths can be placed in designated areas.
Urn Grove
The urn graves are situated under trees or on former large burial plots, creating a unique environment. The dimensions and design of the area, as well as the memorial stones and plaques are tailored to each specific urn grove. The burial area is kept natural and is extensively maintained by the city. The placement of grave decorations is not allowed. The period of use for these graves is 15 years.
Communal Urn Site with Slab
The utilisation period for this type of grave is 15 years. The graves vary in size and structure. It is mandatory to cover the grave site with a 35 x 15 cm slab. Grave decorations are allowed only in predetermined locations and the cemetery administration is responsible for the care and maintenance of the site.
Garden of Remembrance
This is a designated area for the burial of urns beneath a cherry tree, set in a modern and attractive garden environment. The gravesites measure 0.25 m², and a second urn may be buried in the outer radius. These gravesites can be reserved for the partners of the deceased. The utilization period is 15 years. Names can be engraved on memorial steles with stone slabs (L/W/D 30x15x2 cm) in the cherry orchard. Grave decorations can be placed in designated areas.
Sponsored Gravesites
Individuals and legal entities can sponsor historic graves, some of which are listed as protected sites. By sponsoring, they are granted the right to be buried there, along with the right of use. In return, they are responsible for repairing and maintaining the site in consultation with the cemetery administration and the monument protection authority
Rhododendron Grove
This type of grave is designed for the burial of urns in a forest-like setting, distinguished by its unique collection of old rhododendron plants. The gravesites are arranged in a circle around a wooden palisade and each site measures 0.25 m². A second urn can be buried in the outer radius. These gravesites can also be reserved for the partners of the deceased. The name of the deceased can be engraved on a custom stainless steel plate measuring 14 x 9 cm. The utilisation period is 15 years.
Flower Meadow (ash litter meadow)
The ashes of the deceased can be scattered in the flower meadow by relatives or the funeral director. An individual marker can be placed on a wooden stele. Flowers and wreaths can be placed on a flower bed.
Special Burial Site for Stillbirths and Miscarriages
Star children, referring to unborn children weighing less than 1000 grams, can be buried by their parents in designated graves. According to the Brandenburg Burial Act, these children do not require mandatory burial. Parents have the option to either hand over the body of their child to the care of the hospital and the Barnim Star Children Initiative, where the children are interred together in a communal facility free of charge, or choose a paid individual burial in a row grave. The row graves are individual burial sites, filled one after the other, with a 10-year usage period. Relatives are responsible for maintaining the grave throughout the duration of its use.
Monuments of Honour
Memorial and Burial Site of Forced Labourers in Eberswalde
The graves of forced labourers who died in Eberswalde during the National Socialist era are located in the easternmost section 51 of the Waldfriedhof cemetery. The site marks the final resting place of 109 citizens from the former Soviet Union, 39 children from Poland, a young Croatian and a citizen of Luxembourg. The inscription on the memorial wall reads: "Fascist despotism tore them from their homeland and deported them to forced labour for the bloody goals of imperialism. They became victims of fascism and militarism in the years of the Second World War. The free German people honours their final resting place like that of their brothers and sisters."
This memorial serves as a powerful tribute to those who endured extreme hardships and lost their lives while being exploited as forced laborers during the Nazi regime. The cemetery site is an essential part of remembering and honouring the victims of forced labour during WWII, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten.
Garrison Cemetery
The Garrison Cemetery of the Soviet armed forces, located on Heegermühler Straße, was established based on SAMAD order no. 17 on April 15, 1946. Between 1949 and 1967, 855 Soviet citizens were buried there, including many children who died as a result of war injuries, accidents, and illnesses. The cemetery is protected as a war grave and is maintained indefinitely by the Eberswalde cemetery administration. In 2008/2009, the city of Eberswalde, with the assistance of the Barnim district and the state of Brandenburg, undertook extensive reconstruction work on the site.
The Garrison Cemetery serves as a public reminder of the Soviet armed forces' presence in Eberswalde, an influence that shaped the city's landscape for many decades.
Memorial to the Rifle Regiment and Soldiers' Graves
At the Forest Cemetery, there are two memorials by the German War Graves Commission. One of these is the Rifle Regiment 3 (1939-1945) memorial, which was redesigned in 1994. It commemorates the soldiers who fell during the Second World War. The stone crosses feature the names of known fallen soldiers as well as the names of those whose identities remain unknown. Every year, a ceremony is held here to honour the German soldiers who died in the war. A total of 460 German soldiers are buried in the German war cemeteries.
On a plaque in Precinct 32, the following quote is inscribed: "I would like to know exactly for whom the deeds were actually done that are publicly said to have been done for the fatherland." — Georg Christoph Lichtenberg.
Soviet Memorial
(Design 1. 1949 / 2. 1967 / 3. 1985)
The memorial for the 328 Red Army soldiers who died during the battle for Eberswalde is located in the Waldfriedhof cemetery, on Freienwalder Straße. Last revised and dedicated in 1985, this Soviet memorial is under the responsibility of the Eberswalde cemetery administration. Covering an area of 5,000 m², the memorial is made of sandstone, with a star at its peak. It stands atop a truncated pyramid, which can be accessed via steps. The main entrance is constructed from quarry stone and features a steel gate, designed to resemble bayonets.
An avenue of hornbeam trees flanks the entrance. On either side of the memorial, 1.20 x 2.0 meter sandstone walls hold granite plaques, which provide information about the names and ranks of the fallen Soviet soldiers. The inscription on the memorial reads: "Eternal glory to the Soviet soldiers who died fighting for the liberation from fascism."
Earlier versions of the memorial included a brick obelisk in 1949, a granite memorial stone in 1967, and finally the current sandstone memorial, dedicated in 1985.
Military Police Memorial
The "Feldjäger Stone" memorial, located at the Forest Cemetery in Eberswalde, was unveiled on November 24, 1922. Its creation was made possible by the Eberswalde Forestry Academy, where the Prussian mounted infantry corps, established by King Frederick II of Prussia in 1740, studied during peacetime. Sons of foresters were appointed as "Capitaines de Guides" to serve the Prussian army as reliable guides and messengers.
After the defeat in World War I, the "Reitende-Feldjäger-Corps" (RFC) was disbanded on October 1, 1919, by an order from the Minister of War. This marked the end of the "fourth oldest branch" of the Prussian army. Despite this dissolution, veterans from both old and new generations of Feldjäger began organizing a "Feldjägergesellschaft," now known as the "Feldjägerverein e.V.," in Eberswalde, maintaining the legacy of their corps.
A boulder from the Brandenburg forest was selected for the memorial, located just 150 meters from the site. Atop the stone was a representation of a dying eagle, its talons gripping the stone, with the following inscription in golden letters:
"The Mounted Feldjäger Corps from 1740 - 1919, to its fallen."
"If you had given an order to a Feldjäger, you were safe."
(Count Moltke 24.11.1890)
Funeral Parlours
Forest Cemetery
The funeral hall, built in 1846, offers 60 seats and provides a heated, bright, and welcoming atmosphere. Adjacent to the main hall is a small prayer room that accommodates 10 people. The cemetery is equipped with sanitary facilities and features barrier-free access from the south side.
Finow Chapel
The chapel at the Finow Cemetery is bright and elegantly designed. It is heated and offers 46 seats for visitors. Sanitary facilities are conveniently located in the administration building, not far from the chapel.
Messingwerk Chapel
The brick chapel, built in 1926, has recently been renovated. Its interior is simple and unheated, with seating for 60 mourners on wooden benches. The chapel does not have sanitary facilities or an electricity supply.
Kupferhammer Chapel
Since the Kupferhammer cemetery is no longer in use, only a few funerals take place in the Kupferhammer chapel. The chapel is small, with seating for 12 mourners. There are no restroom facilities at Kupferhammer.
Spechthausen Chapel
The Spechthausen chapel is in need of renovation and could accommodate up to 30 mourners. It has no restroom facilities and no electricity.
History of the Forest Cemetery
The town of Eberswalde had three official cemeteries in the Middle Ages. One was the churchyard surrounding St. Mary Magdalene's Church within the town walls, which required a fee for burial. The other two were the hospital cemeteries, St. Gertrude's Cemetery and St. George's Cemetery, situated outside the city walls. These were free of charge and open to travellers. The churchyard around the town church was closed in 1776.
In the 14th century, a chapel dedicated to St. Gertrude was built in front of the Obertor, forming a complex with the hospital and the cemetery for the poor. This spiritual brotherhood provided accommodation and care for travellers, many of whom were ill or diseased. In addition to its role as a quarantine centre and hospital, it also served the local population. In 1610, during the plague year, the hospital cemetery was expanded for the first time and became a burial ground for all citizens of Eberswalde.
During the 18th century, mulberry trees were planted in the town's cemeteries for silk production. Later, pyramid-shaped trees, trembling poplars, and lime trees were planted along the avenues. Exotic trees such as Douglas fir and false cypress were introduced into the forest cemetery, which still define the cemetery’s appearance today.
In 1846, the cemetery began expanding towards its present size, marked notably by the construction of the funeral hall in 1875/1876. By 1903, the cemetery had grown to 18.4 hectares, its current size. Thanks to the efforts of the town gardener Friedrich Schumann, the Waldfriedhof (Forest Cemetery) gained its park-like character and was regarded as the most beautiful cemetery in Brandenburg at the time.
In the older part of the forest cemetery, you can find historic gravestones, including those of Dr. Bernhard Danckelmann, Carl Ludwig Gerber, and the Schickler brothers, among others. The cemetery also contains the graves of many well-known citizens of Eberswalde, as well as war graves, the Feldjägerstein, the memorial to the Soviet Army, and tributes to those forcibly deported.
A Selection of Special Historical Burial Sites
Clemens Schreiber (1838 - 1903)
Clemens Schreiber, the owner and manager of the first German horseshoe nail factory on Kupferhammer Weg, which was founded on 1 October 1871, was the first person in the Finow Valley to have electric light installed in the gusset room of his factory on 7 February 1883. The basis of his horseshoe nail factory was the patented Hufnagelschmiedemaschine, which was tested in 1870 and went into operation in 1871. The mausoleum for Clemens Schreiber, located in district 33, was designed by the Dresden architect Baader.
Dr. Bernhard Danckelmann (1831 - 1901)
His grave is located in the old Forest Cemetery, and a monument in his honour stands at the entrance to the park on Weidendamm. He was a master forester, director of the Forestry Academy, town councillor, and, in 1900, was made an honorary citizen of the town of Eberswalde. His significant contribution lies in the establishment of the Forestry Experimental Station in Eberswalde in 1871, which included departments of forestry meteorology, chemistry, physics, plant physiology, and zoology. From 1899, the departments of mycology and, in 1914, entomology were added. He played a key role in founding the IUFRO (International Union of Forest Research Organisations).
David Schickler (1755 - 1818)
David Schickler's grave is located in the old Forest Cemetery. His name is closely associated with the expansion of the Ruhla cutlers into the town of Eberswalde. In 1795, the Schickler family's cutlery manufactory and ironware factory operated using water mills along the Schwärze river.
David Schickler and his wife, Ernestine Elise Schickler, developed a park that stretched from the Zainhammer westwards to the Hertha Pond waterfall, attracting many visitors from outside the town. The Schickler Gardens were a significant asset to Eberswalde. David Schickler played an active role in the town’s development into both an industrial and spa centre. This remarkable park also laid the foundation for the zoological garden.
The Schickler family home, now located on Schicklerstraße, later became the headquarters of the forestry training centre (the former Forestry Academy). In 1817, David Schickler was granted honorary citizenship by the town of Eberswalde.
Carl Ludwig Gerber (1700 - 1768)
Gravestone in the old Forest Cemetery / Lying with Lillies and Skull. The oldest gravestone discovered in the Forest Cemetery is a sandstone monument, which bears a comprehensive eulogy for C.L. Gerber. Excerpts from the inscription are as follows:
"Reader, this stone tells you of the swift but blessed end of the Well-Born and Highly Honoured Mr. Carl Ludewig Gerber, former Royal War and Tax Councillor, also Commissary of the Uckermark and Styrian Counties, born on 13 April 1700. He was happily married twice, first to Mrs Charlotte Louise Strebelowin (the Queen's Chamberlain) and then to Mrs Maria Tugendreich Frommin. From this second marriage, he had his daughter, Dorothea Louise Johanna Charlotte. He ended his career gloriously, accompanied by age and honour, on 1 May 1768, aged 68 years and 18 days. A good Christian, a faithful servant of his king, a worthy husband, father, and philanthropist. An honest man! This was the greatness of Gerber. Honour him, reader, and bless his urn. But you, think to yourself, that the day of death is better than the day of birth." [...])
Dr. Ernst Ludwig Krause (pseudonym Carus Sterne) (1839 - 1903)
In the third triangle. Dr. Ernst Ludwig Krause, in collaboration with Charles Darwin and Ernst Haeckel, published the monthly journal KOSMOS. He promoted the teachings and findings of Charles Darwin, writing about natural cults, the Nordic Troy, and "Botanical Systematics in its Relationship to Morphology." Other works by the author include Werden und Vergehen (Becoming and Passing), a history of the development of nature in an accessible format. The first volume covers the development of the Earth and the cosmos, plants, and invertebrates, while the second volume focuses on the development of vertebrates and humans. His other works include Autumn and Winter Flowers, a description of the native world of flowers.
The Grey Sisters of St. Elisabeth
In district 34, on the main road, the establishment of the "Grey Sisters of St Elisabeth" in 1872 was a great blessing. The first two sisters, Dionysia Klich and Eligia Jupe, were introduced by Pastor Karl Seltmann and began their nursing work in the household of Dr Köhler, who later became a medical councillor. By 1887, five sisters were already serving, receiving wood, accommodation, and a financial allowance for their selfless work. In 1891, they moved to the newly established address at Schweizerstraße 11. During the First World War, up to 10 sisters also served in military hospitals and on the battlefields.
Annie Sandberg (1871 - 1928) and Councillor of Justice Ludwig Sandberg (1857 - 1936)
On the terraces. Ludwig Sandberg was born in Breslau to Jewish parents. He studied law and served on the board of the Potsdam Bar Association for many years. From 1908, he was a town councillor and was made an honorary citizen of the town of Eberswalde in 1927. After Jewish lawyers were banned from practising in 1933, he was stripped of his honorary citizenship. On 29 January 1936, he took his own life in his flat at Moltkestraße (now Schillerstraße) 21. On 17 December 1946, Augustastraße was renamed Ludwig-Sandberg-Straße in his honour. In 1991, the city council restored his honorary citizenship.
Sisters of the Augusta Viktoria Home (Red Cross Sisters)
Im Revier 33 (grave site with 27 gravestones and a memorial stone). The Augusta Viktoria Heim owes its existence to the decision of the Vaterländischer Frauenverein der Provinz Brandenburg to establish a motherhouse in connection with a hospital, aimed at training nurses in community care and all branches of nursing. The topping-out ceremony took place on 19 September 1894, and in the spring of 1895, the building, which was equipped with 36 beds, was officially opened for its intended purpose. Initially, the hospital was managed by a Red Cross nurse from the Augusta Hospital in Breslau. In 1938, the hospital was renamed Krankenhaus Kurmark. Since 18 August 1991, the hospital has been part of Klinikum Barnim GmbH and is now known as the Werner-Forßmann-Krankenhaus.
Rodolp Schmidt (1875 - 1943)
In district 42 Rudolf Schmidt, as the district historian, wrote two volumes on the "History of the Town of Eberswalde." Born in Dillingen an der Saar in 1875, he moved to Eberswalde at the age of 28 to work in publishing. He had a keen interest in history, particularly the history of Eberswalde. In 1904, he published the first Eberswalde Heimatblätter and, in 1905, founded the local history museum in Eberswalde.
Prof. Dr. Adam Schwappach (1851 - 1932)
In district 41 by the stairs. Professor Dr. Adam Friedrich Schwappach, born in Bamberg in 1851, was a renowned forest scientist, privy councillor, professor at the University of Giessen, professor at the Royal Forestry Academy in Eberswalde, head of department at the Prussian Central Forestry Experimentation Station, and a local politician in Eberswalde. He played a key role in the establishment of the Wirty Arboretum and, in 1928, was made an honorary citizen of the town of Eberswalde, which later named a street in his honour. His writings continue to be referenced internationally today. Among his works are: Das Holz unserer Waldbäume (The Wood of Our Forest Trees), Wild, 1872; Grundriss der Forst- und Jagdgeschichte Deutschlands (Outline of the Forestry and Hunting History of Germany), J. Springer, 1892; Guide to Wood Metrology, 1889; Forest Policy, Hunting and Fishing Policy, Hirschfeld, Leipzig, 1894; and The Results of the Cultivation Experiments with Foreign Wood Species Carried Out in the Prussian State Forests, 1901.
Friedrich Schumann (1870 - 1938)
In district 41 by the steps. City inspector Friedrich Schumann created several highly attractive gardens and parks in Eberswalde during his time of creativity. His notable works include the redesign of the old waterfall, the major transformation of the grounds at Weidendamm with the creation of a park, the grounds in front of the new building of the Forestry College, and, above all, the extensive expansion of the Forest and Park Cemetery, which, according to contemporary experts, was considered the most beautiful cemetery in the province of Brandenburg. During the years of war and inflation, Schumann was also responsible for overseeing the large municipal vegetable gardens in the city area. Friedrich Schumann dedicated 32 years of his life to the forest and garden city of Eberswalde.
Robert Ardelt (1847-1925)
In district 31. Robert Adelt was an engineer who, alongside his four sons, founded Robert Adelt & Söhne Maschinenfabrik. The company, later known as Ardelt Werke GmbH, initially produced foundry machines before expanding into the manufacture of loading cranes of all kinds. The company's patented portal luffing slewing jib crane continues to be sold worldwide today. During the Nazi era, tanks and cannons were produced in the Ardelt factories using forced labour. After the war, the factories were renamed VEB Kranbau Eberswalde and are now known once again as Kirow Ardelt GmbH.
Hasse/Kracheel/Ammon
On the terraces. Three citizens of the town of Eberswalde, who, along with many others, stood up to National Socialism, are listed below.
Franz Willi Hasse (1900-1975)
A member of the SPD, he was a locksmith by trade and served as a municipal councillor in Kupferhammer. From 1933 until April 1945, he was a political prisoner and forced labourer. After 1945 and until 1949, he served as the mayor of a district in the town of Eberswalde.
Otto Kracheel (1901-1958)
He was a co-founder of the Socialist Workers' Youth and became a member of the KPD in 1925. On 11 March 1933, he was the leading candidate for election to the city council. As a member of the illegal "Fritz Pehlmann Group," he was imprisoned 15 times, including in Sachsenhausen concentration camp. After 1945, he took on various political and social roles, such as district mayor of the Ostend district and deputy mayor.
Hans Ammon (1901 -1941)
Born the son of concertmaster Karl Ammon, he worked as a core maker at the Ardelt works. He joined the DMV (German Metalworkers' Association) at a young age and had been a member of the KPD since 1918. In 1926, he married Elisabeth Coralle from Hohenfinow. After the KPD was banned, he spent four months in Oranienburg concentration camp before becoming illegally active in a resistance group alongside Fritz Pehlmann, Otto Kracheel, and Walter Kohn. In 1941, he and his wife were arrested and taken to the Potsdam Gestapo prison, where he was tortured to death.
Contact person
Mr. Jan Weber
E-Mail: j.weber@eberswalde.de
Phone: 03334/64-685