Mausoleum Graf Carl von Alten, Architectural heritage monument in Hemmingen, Germany
The Mausoleum Graf Carl von Alten is a neo-Gothic tomb from the 19th century, built on a small island surrounded by a ring moat within the Sundern nature reserve, between the districts of Arnum and Wilkenburg. The structure is now a ruin, with sandstone walls partly covered by vegetation and open to the sky.
The mausoleum was completed in 1842, designed by architect Georg Ludwig Friedrich Laves for the Hanoverian general Carl von Alten. Conrad Wilhelm Hase oversaw the construction and gave the building its neo-Gothic character.
The mausoleum takes its name from Carl von Alten, a Hanoverian general who also served under the British crown. Visitors with an interest in regional history come here to see a place that reflects the close ties between Hanover and the British royal house.
The mausoleum is reached by marked paths through the Sundern nature reserve, which are open throughout the year. The ground near the island tends to be damp and uneven, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
The original oak entrance door, which had gone missing for years, was found in 2016 inside a private house in Gehrden, a nearby town. It had quietly been part of someone's home before anyone realized what it was.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
