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.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Wow, that's pretty cool. I'm on the fence about the overgrowth and stuff on the markers. In some cases it looks cool, but in other cases it is kind of sad that they don't have anyone who cares enough to keep it nice. That's pretty crazy that they put tags on the markers about the lease being up. Horrible!
On the other hands, the tombstones usually say the people buried there have been resting for like a century :)
I guess you just pay like 50 years lease and don't care much about what happen afterwards. And if your family moves away, nobody really cares about the plot of yours. Just try reading the years on this one:
Besides the huge crack, that actually looks like it is in really good condition for how old the actual grave is! We don't have anything quite that old over here :)
Not in the West :))
@bpcvoter1, sorry! You need more $BBH to use this command.
The minimum requirement is 1000.0 BBH balance.
More $BBH is available from Hive-Engine or Tribaldex
@bpcvoter1, sorry! You need more $BBH to use this command.
The minimum requirement is 1000.0 BBH balance.
More $BBH is available from Hive-Engine or Tribaldex
Such a cool post! I never thought I would say this, but this was an impressive cemetery!!
And it's not even that old :)
A memorable line indeed: the place was dead. And then: The cemetery is a green oasis... 😄 I think you were a bit shocked.
Still so, what a genius. I think sometimes it's very good to get lost. Look how you ended up learning a lot about this cemetery and the images captured are very interesting.
🤣
However, it is very interesting to be like this in the bushes hahaha... my goodness, I laughed a lot.
Nope, I actually like hanging in cemeteries here in central Europe. The largest one of Prague is a great place to be in hot days :)
Thanks for stopping by :)
Not because you don't enjoy it, but the app that got you off track!
You're welcome!
Well, I had several other landmarks on my schedule. Plus the local brewery of course ;) I could hardly pass such establishment on my travels :)
Good statues, Christs, and Marys. 😀
I mean, I would have used them for the LMAC gallery.
Feel free to do so ;)
Cemeteries are interesting places. I pass one by the church on the way to work with graves going back a long time. It's well maintained though. I know from my garden how quickly ivy can take over.
The largest cemetery of Prague is actually a wonderful place to hang around, especially in hot days we experience nowadays. I even held a game for kids there few years ago :)
Well I guess this is entertaining enough to have 79$ payout 😂😂😂
Haven't seen cemetery pictures on hive before though....
A fresh look from clouds, waves and volcanoes 😂✨
Haven't you? It's not that uncommon :)
In a way, it makes me sad to see all the overgrowth. But I guess after so long, there isn't really anybody to care for it or who really cares about who was there. It's all distant memories, if any at all.
Well, many of the graves have been there for over a century - there's no nuclear family anymore, only distant relatives few generations far from the buried people. Do you care about your grand-grand-grandparents resting site? I don't ;)
Nope, not grand-grand-grandparents! I don't, but I did grow up with multiple great grandparents when I was child and into my 20s.
Based on your nickname, I assume you're from the US, and your great grandparents were likely scattered all across the country. I guess maintaining their plots may not be easy eihter ;)
You're 100% correct! I am from the US. Despite my name, though, I’m not from Boston, Massachusetts. Actually, I’ve never been! Maintaining our plots is not easy, especially on my dad's side. My mom’s side has been altogether for the past few generations.
Heh, what a clickbait nickname then :) It reminds me of my visit to Blue Lake, California. No Blue Lake whatsoever in like 100 mile radius at least :))
:p You could say it is! But really it's just my last name lol.
Blue Lake, California has some green water and some good fishing!
I love wandering through old cemeteries. There are so many stories there. I had no idea you could be booted out of your final resting place if no one renews the lease for you! Seems rather crass.
Great photos!
Well, I assume you can :) On the other hand, perhaps they just want to summon the relatives to offer them a bundle like other businesses do - a free cremation for every three burials in the family, or something like that :)
A cemetery bundle at a reduced rate! Maybe a stacking rate?
Perhaps, I am not familiar with their pricing policies :)
I've always thought cemeteries are really a cool place to discover during a walk. Especially that you get to see lots of stiles and cultures that usually are mixed all together. And this one is the proof for that! Lots of impressive sculptures as well!
Aachen has always been a rich town, and the townsmen wanted to show off a bit even post mortem ;)
Yeah, missed to do my comment until today.
You found a hidden gem in #aachen and you should send a "thank you" to your app to come with this "shortcut"
Anyway, here is a !BEER from me to you
Hehe, this gem got really appreciated by the community:) thanks!
Is that a statue of the mother Mary? I saw her as a very beautiful woman, but my knowledge was very limited for any history
Which one? The opening photo? I don't think so, she's not commonly depicted with a quill.
Yeah opening photo
A surprisingly delightful post.
I'm glad you liked it :)
Congratulations, your post has been added to WorldMapPin! 🎉
Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!
Want to have your post on the map too?
Travel Digest #2273.
Become part of our travel community:
- Join our Discord
Hiya, @ybanezkim26 here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Your post has been manually curated by the @worldmappin team. If you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider supporting other authors like yourself and us so we can keep the project going!ah caray interesante...
Amazing!
Congratulations @godfish! Your post has been a top performer on the Hive blockchain and you have been rewarded with this rare badge
You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPCheck out our last posts:
!LOL
!ALIVE
It indeed looks old, but this one of the places I found it cool!
I am sorry, what does?
@bpcvoter1, sorry! You need more $BBH to use this command.
The minimum requirement is 1000.0 BBH balance.
More $BBH is available from Hive-Engine or Tribaldex
I love reading your blogs 🥰
I'm glad to hear that :)
I also try to go to other countries and meet all the people who work on this platform and discuss their lives with each other and these places are really beautiful where more flowers are planted. And there are trees, go to a natural place and get peice.
Well, come to Split in September then :) there are trees in Croatia too ;)
View or trade
BEER.BEERHey @godfish, here is a little bit of from @detlev for you. Enjoy it!BEER at dCity game to buy cards to rule the world.Did you know that <a href='https://dcity.io/cityyou can use