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Berlin insider tips: discovering the Jacobi Cemetery and more!
Discover Berlin's hidden treasures with Anne Lenk: insider tips on quiet places, theaters and the Jacobi Cemetery.
Berlin insider tips: discovering the Jacobi Cemetery and more!
When you think of Berlin, the well-known sights certainly come to mind. But the city also has places that hold something more secret and special. In a recent report, theater director Anne Lenk, who has lived in the capital since 2007, describes exciting places that are worth discovering. Among these is the Old St. Jacobi Cemetery in Neukölln, which exudes a charm of its own.
The Old St. Jacobi Cemetery is located at Karl-Marx-Straße 4 and not only attracts those seeking peace and quiet, but also has an attractive coffee bar, the Jacobi coffee bar. Here you can enjoy a coffee and enjoy the view of the quiet gravestones - a pleasant contrast to the lively Hermannplatz nearby. Lenk refers to the quiet places in Berlin, which are ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. The impressive chapel in the cemetery was built according to plans by the architect Reinhold Kiehl and is just one example of the art-historically interesting graves that can be found there - including the honorary grave of the painter Franz Skarbina.
A place full of history
The cemetery was opened in 1852 and is now a listed building. Covering an area of over 39,000 m², it offers numerous types of burials, such as earth graves and urn graves as well as anonymous community urn facilities. There are also various options for the bereaved, such as grave sponsorships. It is a place where the history of Berlin becomes tangible, with prominent graves such as Max Hahn and Heinrich Kiepert, as well as around 165 individual graves for victims of war and tyranny.
The cemetery, with its harmonious outdoor facilities, has something to offer, especially in the warm months. In addition to artistic monuments, it invites reflection and is even open until 8 p.m. from April to August. For anyone planning a visit, the nearest subway stop, U Hermannplatz, is just a short walk away.
Extraordinary insider tips
Lenk remembers her exciting time in Berlin since 1998, when the city was particularly attractive to young people. Today she appreciates not only the Old St. Jacobi Cemetery, but also other secret places in the city. The speakeasy bar “Truffle Pig” in Neukölln has established itself as a popular retreat. Another highlight is Clärchens Ballhaus in Berlin-Mitte, which opened in 1913 and offers a nostalgic atmosphere for dance evenings, from tango to swing.
When it comes to getting around Berlin, the M29 double-decker bus is Lenk's preferred mode of transport, especially when the weather isn't good or she's tired. She was also recently a guest on a live radio broadcast at “Studioeins im Bikini”, where she performed in front of a small audience of around 30 people.
From the 2025/26 season, Anne Lenk will be part of the management team at the Thalia Theater in Hamburg and will continue to contribute passionately to the Berlin theater landscape. Their opinions about the diversity and uniqueness of Berlin's theaters, including the Deutsches Theater and the Gorki Theater, make it clear how lively and multifaceted the cultural scene is.
For anyone who wants to explore Berlin, Lenk's tips are a valuable source. The Old St. Jacobi Cemetery and other insider tips offer an excellent opportunity to experience the city in a different way.