Experience cemetery culture: Open Monument Day in Hahnbach!

Experience cemetery culture: Open Monument Day in Hahnbach!

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Hahnbach invites you to the celebration Open Monument Days a. As part of this, a free tour of the cemetery church is offered, which begins at 2:30 p.m. This event takes place on Bayreutherstrasse, near the Upper Gate, and is led by local curator Marianne Moosburger.

The tour promises an interesting journey of discovery through the history and symbolism of cemetery culture in Germany. The topics include, among other things, the origin of the name and the types of Catholic burials as well as the history of the cemetery church itself. A look inside the church provides insights into earlier paintings and unsolved mysteries hidden inside the church.

Important elements of cemetery culture

The cemetery culture in Germany, which has developed over centuries, encompasses a variety of cultural expressions. The central aspects include the rituals of individual processing of grief and burial in the cemetery. The cemetery is not only perceived as a place of remembrance, but is also used as a social meeting place and cultural event location. These aspects are also taken into account by the UNESCO highlighted, which points out that the design of the graves is often viewed as “gardens of memory”.

The development of cemetery culture is dynamic, and it can be seen that the trend towards urn burials is changing the appearance of cemeteries. In recent years, the idea of ​​natural burials has become increasingly important both at home and abroad, which is seen as competition to traditional burials. Nevertheless, cemetery culture remains an indispensable part of the cultural heritage and continues to be actively cultivated.

Cultural significance and monument protection

Old cemeteries have immense cultural and historical significance and are often part of monument protection measures. The care and preservation of these places of remembrance not only promote traditions, but also contribute to the creation of a living form of expression, even in the face of change. The inclusion of communal, Christian, Jewish and Muslim spaces within the cemetery culture illustrates the diversity of cultural identity in Germany, as documented in different eras, including by Wikipedia.

A striking point in the history of cemetery culture is its recognition as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in March 2020. This initiative was initiated in 2015 by the journalist Tobias Pehle and is supported by various associations, including cemetery managers, undertakers and tomb manufacturers.

Overall, it shows that cemetery culture in Germany is not only a place of remembrance, but also the result of a long cultural change that remains important to this day. Special events, such as the upcoming tour in Hahnbach, help keep this heritage alive and bring it closer to future generations.