Kleistpark Frankfurt (Oder)

Where today walkers looking for relaxation stroll and children play, the former western cemetery of the city of Frankfurt (Oder) stood until it was leveled in the early 1950s, before it was converted into a public park. The destruction at the end of World War II had devastated it, making this necessary. Today's Kleistpark was created in 1802 as the old city cemetery on the western edge of the city. It was given its current name on the occasion of the anniversary of the first documented mention of Frankfurt in 1253 in honor of the city's most important son and poet, Heinrich von Kleist.

The area covers an area of ​​around 6 hectares and is home to beautiful trees, lawns and playgrounds with a cable car for younger visitors. In the various phases of its existence, its size was reduced by half due to various construction projects. In the early 1970s, a highway was built through the park and the oldest eastern part of the former cemetery, which was cut off as a result, was built up with high-rise buildings. Fortunately, some of the old tombs in the park were preserved. On a walk, you will find the tomb of Ulrike von Kleist, the tomb of the organ builder and founder of one of the most important German organ building companies, Wilhelm Sauer, or the tomb of Wilhelm Spieker, founder of the "Patriotic Weekly".

Although not located directly next to the park, the Kleist Museum is worth a visit for literature lovers and those interested in history. In 2013, the building, which has been in existence since 1969 in the former garrison school, was expanded to include a modern, light-filled extension. The exhibition space, which has now doubled in size, takes visitors through the life and work of the famous poet and playwright. The biographies of the poets Ewald Christian and Franz Alexander von Kleist are also honored. The tour of the garrison school building alone is worth a visit, as it was built in 1777 as a late Baroque building on the initiative of Prince Leopold of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel and based on plans by the Frankfurt building inspector Friedrich Martin Knoblauch, and opened in 1778 for the children of the soldiers stationed there.

Year of construction: 1802
Directions: Car: A12 to exit Frankfurt (Oder); Train: RE1 to Frankfurt (Oder)