It’s been a month since this accidental walk took place. I was in Aachen, hurrying to the kick-off of the Hive Meetup, relying on my preferred map app – Mapy.cz. This app usually works great, especially if you’re into outdoorsy activities or sports. However, this time, it led me to a dead end. Literally. What else could a cemetery be but the deadest of all ends? The rusty wicked at the other end of the cemetery was locked, so I had to turn back and walk along its walls to reach digitalCHURCH, the event venue. Despite the detour, I captured a few snapshots, enjoying the contrast between the weathered tombstones and the early summer vegetation in full bloom.
I later learned more about the cemetery—I hadn’t done any research beforehand since I hadn’t planned on visiting it. Aachen Ostfriedhof, or the Eastern Cemetery, is the oldest still-active Aachen burial site, established in 1803. I initially thought its location was chosen due to its proximity to St. Joseph’s Church with its columbarium. But it is the other way around—the church is almost a century younger, built in a historicizing neo-Gothic style to appear older. If you noticed the absence of a typical spire, you’re correct—the church lost it during WWII when it suffered significant damage. But back to the cemetery.
On that Saturday morning, the place was dead—apparently, no one else wanted to start their day in a cemetery. Which was a shame. The cemetery is a pleasant green oasis not far from the city center, as you can see from my photos. The only company of mine were the typical cemetery dwellers—squirrels and various birds, all too skittish to come close. They didn’t seem accustomed to encountering living visitors.
If you think of cemeteries as final resting places, the Cemetery Administration might challenge that notion. Did you notice the small yellow stickers? They urge relatives to contact the administrators, likely because the lease on the grave is about to expire, and they’ll need to renew it for another few years. I’m not sure what happens in Germany if you lose your spot in a graveyard—perhaps your remains are cremated at public expense, and the plot is offered to a new, fresh occupant. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong!
Most of the graves were label-free, though, including many that looked centuries old, despite ivy and other vegetation being capable of breaking tombstones in just a few years. On the other hand, isn’t it a fancy way to get into the Ivy League? Okay, enough with the cultural puns. Here are some of the stones and graves that caught my attention.
Lesson learned: Never plant trees or even bushes beside your tombstone. They may look great initially, but they will eventually steal your thunder. And then… Have a look yourself:
Aachen and the region of North Rhine-Westphalia withstood the Reformation and remained predominantly Catholic. It’s no surprise, then, that one edge of the cemetery is dedicated to nuns—their burial place was right by the locked gate I had hoped to use for a quick exit. One might easily mistake it for a military graveyard.
When I realized I couldn’t pass, I rushed back to the main entrance, stopping only to photograph a caged beer bottle. In many countries, there’s a deposit for them, so I was sure someone would pick it up soon. Still, I found the composition and this odd cage adjected to the organic waste paling hilarious.
As you likely know, I made it on time, and the meetup was great. See you all in Split in a month and a bit!
Even though I took the walk on Saturday, it's my Wednesday Walk entry - for #wednesdaywalk by @tattoodjay.
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