The old cemetery, which was redesigned in the 19th century, was supposed to put its visitors in a soft melancholic mood as a so-called “jardin parlant” (“speaking garden”). The harmony of nature and artistic graves impresses the visitors still today. The numerous important people laid to eternal rest here prove Bonn’s position in Germany’s spiritual life of the 19th century.

The old cemetery is an oasis at the edge of the centre of Bonn. In 1715 it was erected by Elector Josef Clemens for the inhabitants and soldiers. In 1787 it became the main cemetery of the city and changed from a cemetery for everyone to the place of eternal rest for many prominent persons. In the 19th century, it was redesigned like a park by J.P. Lenné.

The burial places of the 19th century are a reflection of Bonn’s cultural and spiritual history. August Wilhelm von Schlegel, Robert and Clara Schumann, Adele Schopenhauer, Schiller’s wife Charlotte and his son Ernst, as well as Beethoven’s mother from Ehrenbreitstein are buried here. Famous professors from Bonn are also buried at the old cemetery: August Wilhelm von Schlegel, Ernst Moritz Arndt, Friedrich Argelander, Barthold Georg Niebuhr and Karl Simrock. The Boisserée brothers, who, among others, laid the foundation stone of the “Alte Pinakothek” in Munich and took care of the completion of the Dome of Cologne, are buried here as well.

Many burial places are equipped with tombs of Schinkel, Rauch, Stüler and Cauer. In the middle of the cemetery there is a late Romanesque chapel, which was transferred to the cemetery by the “Deutschordenskommende Ramersdorf” from 1846 – 1850.

From May until October guided tours are offered on Tuesday at 15:00 PM (and in addition on every first Saturday in a month at 11:00 AM). Meeting point is the entrance of the cemetery at the Bornheimer Strasse.

Alter Friedhof (Old Cemetery)
Bornheimer Straße
53113 Bonn

Opening hours:
January 08:00 AM – 17:00 PM,
February 08:00 AM – 18:00 PM,
March–August 07:15 AM – 18:00 PM,
September 08:00 AM – 20:00 PM,
October 08:00 AM – 19:00 PM,
November–December 08:00 AM – 17:00 PM

Source: Tourismus&Congress GmbH Region Bonn/Rhein-Sieg/Ahrweiler