Doric columns

The still-controversial monument, including Doric columns, is from the drawing board of architect Wilhelm Büning in the 1930s, who designed it on behalf of government architect Albert Speer.

Fallen soldiers would be honored here annually on the "Heroes Memorial Day" introduced by the National Socialists for their "heroic patriotism."

Soldiers and civilians

The Second World War soon brought in a fresh supply of bodies, not only of soldiers but also of civilian casualties who fell victim to bombings. Altogether, there were now five thousand war victims, soldiers, and civilians buried at the German War Cemetery Lilienthalstraße.

After the Third Reich collapsed, the Ehrenhalle was given a new function, namely as a funeral chapel for the nearby parish.

Eichenkranz

3rd Armored Division

In a dark corner of the cemetery hangs a memorial plaque for the fallen soldiers of the 3rd Armored Division Berlin-Brandenburg.

The faded wreath of flowers that dangle underneath does not immediately contribute to the Salonfähigkeit of the cemetery and illustrates its controversial origin.

Delicate

The cemetery is still quite controversial - because of its builder. "For a long time, the National Socialist history of the cemetery was covered in a cloak of silence. Since 2013, a public debate has begun about the balance between memories and perspectives," wrote the Neuköllner.

Wreath laying

Every year on Volkstrauertag, a wreath-laying ceremony takes place to commemorate the victims of war and tyranny. Opposition to this is expressed in Berlin through the organization Pink Rabbit, which disrupted the wreath-laying ceremony in Lilienthalstrasse, and other places.