Grave of Detlev von Liliencron, Literary tomb at Rahlstedt Cemetery, Germany
The Grave of Detlev von Liliencron is a burial site in the Hamburg district of Rahlstedt with a sandstone sculpture of a girl scattering roses by Richard Luksch. Four stone pillars and an iron fence enclose the rectangular area, with built-in stone benches on its north and south sides.
The North German lyric poet passed away in July 1909 after years spent in the former village of Alt-Rahlstedt and was buried there. The sculptural design of the memorial was created the following year by the Viennese sculptor who was working in Hamburg.
The poet's name lives on in a local library and several streets throughout the city, while his memorial has become a place for literature enthusiasts. The rose motif in the sculpture refers to his final verses, in which he wished for flowers on his resting place.
The cemetery is located northeast of central Hamburg and is easy to reach on foot once you pass the main entrance. The two benches offer an opportunity to sit down for a moment and take in the surroundings.
In the years following the First World War, the image of the monument served as a motif for emergency currency notes issued by a local cultural association. Old postcards show the site in its original layout with denser vegetation than today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
