Information portal
Essen Southwest Cemetery
Essen Southwest Cemetery: Address, opening hours, map, history and graves for a well-prepared visit.
At a glance
- Area
- 37.27 ha
- Established
- 1914
- District
- Fulerum
Visitor information
Prepare your visit
Quick access to the published information for planning a visit.
Address and directions
Visitor address, location and directions.
Learn moreOpening hours
Access hours for the cemetery.
Learn moreCemetery map
Maps and guidance for finding your way around the cemetery grounds.
Learn moreAdministration
Contact details and information about the responsible administration.
Learn moreCharacter and history
A large municipal cemetery with about 33,000 graves and extensive war-grave and memorial areas. The cemetery contains the graves of 2,878 victims of war and tyranny.
The South-West Cemetery opened in 1914 and developed into one of Essen’s large municipal cemeteries.
Key details
Essen Southwest Cemetery is in Fulerum. The visitor address is Fulerumer Straße 15b, 45149 Essen. Its area is approximately 37.27 hectares.
Information for your visit
- Read the opening hours for Essen Southwest Cemetery: No generally applicable daily opening schedule is published. Ask the cemetery administration for current guidance before visiting.
- Open address and directions, then match the journey to the access information: The cemetery can be accessed through the following entrances: South visitor access; North visitor access.
- Use the cemetery map to work from 20 named orientation points. A particular grave still requires its section, row and grave number.
- Notable graves introduces selected people and memorials associated with Essen Southwest Cemetery, including Franz Dinnendahl, Victor Niemeyer, Wilhelm Holle, Wilhelm Nieswandt, Heinz Renner and Georg Metzendorf.
Travel snapshot
The following public transport connections serve the cemetery: Südwestfriedhof stop; Südwestfriedhof stop, opposite direction.
The following parking options are available: South-West Cemetery main-entrance parking; Cemetery parking.
If any part of the visit to Essen Southwest Cemetery depends on an appointment, a particular burial section or a short route, use the cemetery administration details before setting out.
Discover the cemetery
History and places
Explore the cemetery’s history, selected places and points of orientation.
Photographic impressions
Südwestfriedhof Essen in pictures
Selected photographs offer a visual impression of Südwestfriedhof Essen.
Symmetrical front view of the red-brick funeral hall with a tall central block, round-arched arcade and two freestanding cross-topped pillars
Joseph Enseling’s green-patinated sculpture “Trauer,” showing a deeply bowed figure on a brick plinth, with shrubs and gravestones behind it.
A broad field of honour with regularly spaced small stone crosses on green lawn leads to a tall central cross, framed by trees and hedges.
Two visitors walking along a broad reddish-brown gravel avenue beneath two dense rows of tall deciduous trees
Long straight reddish-brown gravel avenue between tall deciduous trees, with gravestones along the verges and blue sky above
Second World War burial field with rows of low natural-stone markers in the lawn and squat stone crosses around the edge
Pink- and red-flowering rhododendrons among evergreen shrubs beneath tall deciduous trees
Cemetery entrance between low stone pillars, partly obscured by parked cars and a protected-landscape sign
Further information
About graves
Direct access to the published information about graves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the visitor address?
The address is Fulerumer Straße 15b, 45149 Essen. Entrances, public transport and parking are covered under address and directions.
When is Essen Southwest Cemetery open?
No generally applicable daily opening schedule is published. Ask the cemetery administration for current guidance before visiting. Check short-term changes before visiting under opening hours.
Is there an official cemetery map?
A compact official site plan for Essen Southwest Cemetery is not currently available here. The interactive map shows mapped landmarks and does not replace an official grave register.
How do I find a particular grave?
For a search at Essen Southwest Cemetery, bring the name, dates and ideally the section, row and grave number. The process is set out under grave search.
Which grave types are available?
A definitive list of grave types currently available at Essen Southwest Cemetery is not available here. The administration can provide availability, terms, fees and design rules. The administration provides current availability and fees for Essen Southwest Cemetery.
How do I travel by public transport?
For Essen Southwest Cemetery: The following public transport connections serve the cemetery: Südwestfriedhof stop; Südwestfriedhof stop, opposite direction.
Can I park at the cemetery?
For Essen Southwest Cemetery: The following parking options are available: South-West Cemetery main-entrance parking; Cemetery parking.
Which notable people are introduced?
Notable graves introduces selected biographies and graves connected with Essen Southwest Cemetery. It is not a complete list of burials.
Who is responsible for the cemetery?
City of Essen, Grün und Gruga – Cemetery Operations and Crematorium is responsible for Essen Southwest Cemetery. Contact and appointment information is under cemetery administration.