Ehrenfriedhof Cap Arcona

The Ehrenfriedhof Cap Arcona is a burial ground and memorial site in Neustadt in Holstein, roughly 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep. It is enclosed by natural stone walls and contains marked graves honoring the victims of the Cap Arcona and Thielbek ships.

The cemetery was established after the Cap Arcona and Thielbek ships were sunk by British aircraft on May 3, 1945, and now contains 621 graves of victims. These ships carried refugees and prisoners on board who died in the attack.

Memorial stones display inscriptions in multiple languages, including Hebrew, reflecting the diverse nationalities of concentration camp prisoners who perished in the disaster. Visitors can read the names and symbols to understand that people from many countries are buried here.

The site is best visited on foot and offers a quiet setting for reflection. Visitors should know that annual commemoration ceremonies take place on May 3rd, bringing together survivors, families, and representatives from various organizations.

The western section features a wooden platform with metal steles that document detailed information about the events surrounding the ships' sinking. This installation helps visitors understand the specifics and context of the tragedy.