Friedhöfe Hallesches Tor

[herzverstreut_bu]

First of all, a belated happy birthday to ladybanteerin and peaches, and a late, but still in time, happy birthday to shivaluna! Love you all and wish you many good things.

Secondly, what's the most logical reaction to reading too many ghost stories and freaking yourself out? Why, visit your favourite cemetery of course! Which I did yesterday, because I haven't been there for over a year and I finally have a proper camera to take some pictures. (Sorry if you're sick of my 1834 photo posts lately, but I'm still excited about this and need to practice my skillz. Tbh, there will be even more tomorrow night or so, since we're going to do drag king dress-up.)

All of these are from the cemeteries at Hallesches Tor, the oldest part of which was created in the mid-1730s. There are lots of old graves and tombs, particularly from the 19th century, still to be seen - the oldest one that remains is from 1785. It's not just a historical site, though, but a really peaceful and quiet park, despite sitting in the middle of some busy streets. It's not highly frequented, except for people passing along the main path as a shortcut, but you will often find people sitting around reading, drawing or just enjoying the quiet when the weather is nice. Yesterday I even saw a couple making out on one of the benches. :| Anyway, it's a lovely place, and if you like cemeteries you should check it out if you ever come to Berlin. /end tourist guide mode


One of my favourite graves, the headstone is an abacus.




This is the back of the headstone on Wilhelm Taubert's grave. It's engraved with a line from his lullaby "Schlaf in guter Ruh".




My inner goth is all gleeful about this picture.


A child's grave.










The sign says "This burial plot is soon to be leveled."





Also, random creepy-ish story: I've always felt different on Friedhof II (not the oldest part but the only one that remains in its original layout) - not bad or scared, but while the other parts are all really calming, this one is just slightly unsettling. There are random cold spots, and I've gotten sudden headaches there before. Then when I was taking photos yesterday, several times a black shadow rushed across the screen while the camera focused - there was nothing around to cause that shadow, and it did not happen in any other part of the cemetery, nor has it ever before. Obviously that is no proof for anything supernatural (and nothing out of the ordinary showed up in the pictures), but I'm wondering if there is something electromagnetic going on there. Either way, interesting.

Speaking of Supernatural, I... don't actually have anything to say about the latest episode. Sorry for failing at fandom at the moment?

Comments

[rosi.livejournal.com]

Yay camera! :D I know how you feel. :) My favourite is #4 from the bottom.

[scatterheart.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's my favourite, too. :D I didn't even think it would turn out well when I took it, apparently those are often the best.

[mirror-mirror.livejournal.com]

I love cemeteries, and this one is particularly beautiful and romantic. The abacus headstone is genius! And I want a line from my favorite song engraved on my tombstone. ♥

[scatterheart.livejournal.com]

It really is, especially the older parts. I'm kind of sad I don't live close to it anymore, I used to go there often when I was still in student housing.

And yeah, having a line from a song on the tombstone is such a lovely idea, especially in this case, where it's a lullaby.

[citibyrd.livejournal.com]

These are really pretty pictures. I really like the abacus grave, too. Cemetaries are kind of neat. :)

[scatterheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Cemeteries can be so beautiful - you get a pretty park with the added bonus of historical/cultural relevance, and no annoying people yelling or kids kicking their balls into your face. :D

[honeybearbee.livejournal.com]

Those are lovely pictures.

[scatterheart.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[morningfine]

Interesting fact: I had a lecture yesterday that mentioned that graveyard in passing, and now I need to come there and ritually sacrifice wine on E.T.A. Hoffmann's grave. ;)

[scatterheart.livejournal.com]

What a coincidence! :D Any specific reason for the ritual wine sacrifice? *scents new cultural-historical facts* ;)