Dorotheenstadt-Friedrichswerder Cemetery

Before heading to the abandoned roundhouse I had about an hour to kill. Dorotheenstadt-Friedrichswerder Cemetery was on my way to the S-train station I needed to be at so I thought it was the perfect time to explore it. The Protestant cemetery of Dorotheenstadt and Friedrichswerder parishes started in 1770 after Prussian King Frederick II donated land outside the walls of the old city for the purposes of burial. The fear of epidemics and the growing shortage of land to build on were the reason for this move. The cemetery expanded several times until 1826 and was originally intended for burial of lower class peoples. However, it eventually became the resting place of notable people in arts and sciences because of its close proximity to Humboldt University and other academies.

Like the Sophien II Cemetery and Invalidenfriedhof Cemetery, Dorotheenstadt-Friedrichswerder also has an interesting history. The cemetery has faced thieves, who took stole precious metals from Prussian era graves, and destruction during World War II. While the cemetery has had some restoration it is estimated that it could cost upwards to €6 million for future restorations. Also like the other mass graves, D-F also contains a memorial to those who resisted the Nazi regime as well as a mass grave to those who died towards the end of the war but could not be identified.

This was the largest (at least it appeared to be) and busiest of the three cemeteries I visited. It's layout was kind of confusing to me as it appeared there was a cemetery within a cemetery. I had just finished in one part when I realized there was a path leading into another large section of the cemetery. I didn't have enough time to explore the whole thing because I had to meet Cheryl and Elizabeth at the abandoned roundhouse, but I hope to one day go back and explore. I really enjoyed walking around this cemetery because it was so beautiful, but I just felt weird taking photos with so many people around.