From hospital cemetery to Leipzig’s general burial ground
Old St John’s Cemetery began beside Johannishospital in 1278. It became Leipzig’s general burial ground in 1536, long before the present museum buildings on Johannisplatz.
The final burials
The final burial took place on 24 December 1883. The first and second sections were converted into green space that year. Today the listed grounds form a historic cemetery museum and public park.
Surviving and relocated monuments
In 1991, 58 monuments from Neuer Johannisfriedhof were moved here. They add to the collection of funerary art, but should be distinguished from burials that actually took place at Old St John’s Cemetery.
Franz Dominic Grassi (1801–1880) was buried here. His grave links the grounds with the history of the Leipzig benefactor; read more under notable graves.
Reopening and visiting today
Following an extended restoration, the cemetery reopened to the public in 1995. The visitor address is Johannisplatz / Täubchenweg, 04103 Leipzig, directly beside the Grassi Museum.
Visiting hours differ between summer and winter. Use the map to plan arrival and contact the garden heritage office about conservation.