Alter Friedhof, Erkelenz

The Old Cemetery in Erkelenz is the former cemetery on Brückstraße. Although it has been owned by the city since it was built, it is often thought to be a Catholic cemetery. The background of this idea is based on the fact that until 1900 almost only Catholics lived in Erkelenz. So the members of the Catholic parish St. Lambertus were buried here, which in the 19th century included Erkelenz and the surrounding villages Buscherhof, Oestrich, Bellinghoven, Tenholt, Genehen, Scheidt, Commerden, Matzerath, Mennekrath, Terheeg and Wockerath. The few Lutheran citizens were buried in the cemetery in Schwanenberg until 1902, when a Lutheran cemetery was also inaugurated in Erkelenz. The tradition says that only one Lutheran person was buried in the old cemetery, a Major Ferdinand Rothe of the local district command, died in 1882. The gravestone is still preserved. Since 2006 the cemetery has been listed as a historical monument. The whole cemetery is surrounded by a high wall, which is only interrupted by two gates at the Brückstraße. With its old gravesites, tall trees, shrubs and wild herbs, the cemetery has a peculiar charm and offers a place of silence in the middle of the city.