Unveiling the restored grave complexes in Kreuzberg cemeteries

On April 9, 2024, a wonderful celebration and opening took place at the Alter Luisenstädtischer and Dreifaltigkeit II cemetery in Berlin, Germany.

About the event

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the Evangelischer Friedhofsverband Berlin Stadtmitte unveiled the results of completed restoration work on two remarkable historical grave complexes in the Kreuzberg cemeteries on Bergmannstrasse, along with their innovative repurposing concepts.

Superintendent Dr. Silke Radosh-Hinder dedicated the monumental grave site of the Löblich-Liebau Family at Alter Luisenstädtischer Cemetery to serve as an open-air chapel for funeral services.

The Kunzemann-Bornhagen Mausoleum, meticulously restored in the Dreifaltigkeit II Cemetery, now functions as a mourning farewell room. Here, relatives can spend precious additional time in a dignified ambiance bidding farewell to their departed loved ones.

Funding for these restoration projects was provided by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media (BKM), the Berlin State Monuments Office (LDA), and the German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD), along with contributions from the Evangelischer Friedhofsverband of Berlin Stadtmitte.

Event photos:

Restoration of Maciachini’s family tomb

On April 2, 2023, the official unveiling of the restored Maciachini’s family tomb will take place at the Milan Monumental Cemetery in Italy.

Carlo Maciachini (1818 - 1899)

The architect Carlo Maciachini was born on April 2, 1818, in Induno Olona and died on June 10, 1899, in Varese. He studied Architecture and Ornamentation at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan. 

His first major work as an architect was the construction of the Serbian-Orthodox Church of San Spiridione in Trieste. Then, in 1863, the international competition launched for building a bigger cemetery in Milan chose his proposal for the design of the new Milan Monumental Cemetery.

Maciachini is universally acclaimed by historians and academics as his eclectic style is a prelude of modern architecture, even if it does not miss tradition.

Restoration of Maciachini’s family tomb

Maciachini’s family tomb is located between two arches in Section A-B of the West Lower Gallery at the Milan Monumental Cemetery and is fully neglected. The association Amici del Monumentale di Milano was established in 2013 with the purpose of safeguarding, perpetuating, enhancing, and promoting the history, art, and cultural heritage of this important cemetery. Considering the great symbolic, historic, and artistic importance of this tomb, the association decided to finance and promote its restoration.

The restoration project has the patronage of the Municipality of Milan, Induno Olona, the Chamber of Architects, City Planners, Landscape-Architects and Curators of the Province of Milan. Pending is the patronage of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.

During the restoration works, students of the art schools of Milan and province as well as members of the Italian Agency for the Deaf will have a chance to listen to the restorers explaining the various stages of their work, materials and techniques employed.

Amici del Monumentale is also a member of ASCE and FIDAM (Italian Federation of the Friends of Museum). The association has already financed three remarkable restorations: Ave Maria by Giulio Branca, Ecce Puer by Medardo Rosso and The Guardian Angel by Luigi Buzzi Giberto.

Unveiling of the restored tomb (program)

The official unveiling of Maciachini’s restored tomb will take place on April 2, 2023, on Maciachini's 205th birth anniversary, at the Milan Monumental Cemetery.

Conference

At 9.30 am, there will be a conference on the topic "Maciachini, an eclectic positivist", with the participation of prestigious speakers Ornella Selvafolta (architectureal historian) and Sergio Rebora (art historian and history and art curator of the Monumentale). The two restorers, Matteo Pelucchi and Maria Facchinetti, will also participate and will report about the restoration process, respectively for the stone elements and metal parts.

All visitors will receive a brochure "Account of a restoration work" illustrating the various restoration stages.

Musical interlude

At 10.30 am, there will be a musical interlude with "La Banda d'Affori".

Unveiling ceremony

At 11.00 am, the unveiling ceremony will take place, attended by the Councillor Gaia Romani and Marco Cavallin, mayor of Induno Olona, Maciachini's birthplace. A guided walk to the chapels and monuments executed by Maciachini will take place soon after the ceremony.

You can find the official invitation (in Italian) HERE.