New cemetery in Leipzig to be redesigned

After extensive measurements, the New Jewish Cemetery in Leipzig is to be redesigned. The goal is to awaken the somewhat forgotten cemetery from its slumber and establish it as a special place of remembrance, said Eta Zachäus, a member of the Leipzig Jewish Religious Community.

"In the course of the site's eventful history, poorly documented burials and urn interments took place during the Nazi era, which must now be processed and sensitively integrated into the redesign of the site," the 75-year-old explained. In addition probably also child burials and a grave field with desecrated gravestones of the first Jewish cemetery counted.

By means of ground radar measurements it had succeeded recently researchers of the university for technology, economics and culture Leipzig (HTWK) to throw a view into the underground, without shifting the soil. After the measuring and the geophysical investigations now plans for a Um- and a reorganization of the new Israelitischen cemetery are compiled.

"The grave fields put on in recent time freely are to integrate themselves into a coherent total concept. In addition, graves with special historical significance will become more recognizable and accessible to visitors," said Ronald Scherzer-Heidenberger, HTWK professor of regional planning and urban development.

In addition to teaching and research, universities also have a mission to play an active role in urban society, said geotechnical engineering professor Ralf Thiele. "For us, it is a matter of course to help and take responsibility with our expertise and modern equipment from research."

The New Israelite Cemetery had been inaugurated on May 6, 1928, after years of planning and the construction of a large ceremonial hall with a huge concrete dome. In 1938, the hall was burned down during the November pogrom. In 1955, a new hall was built, but it was much smaller than the old structure.