Alter Friedhof Gießen

Alter Friedhof Gießen is a cemetery and park covering about 8 hectares east of the city center. Basalt walls and sandstone structures shape the landscape and frame the burial monuments throughout the grounds.

The cemetery was founded between 1529 and 1530 outside the city walls to replace the older burial ground at the city church. This followed fortification efforts undertaken by Landgrave Philip.

The grounds display different monument styles that reflect burial customs across several periods. The preserved stone markers tell stories of craftsmanship and artistic taste from various eras.

The grounds are publicly accessible and feature tree-lined pathways as well as a children's play area for visitors. Regular guided tours and an audio walk are available to help understand the site's history.

The burial site of Nobel Prize winner Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen is located on the grounds and draws visitors from around the world. The Jewish burial section, present since 1826, contains graves documenting centuries of Jewish life in the region.