Send us a textWhat do large cities do when they run out of space to bury their dead? They go beyond their limits. Traditionally all large European cities like Paris, Vienna or London eventually established new burial sites further and further from their centre. Vienna even considered using the pneumatic tube system to transport their deceased to the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery).By the end of the nineteenth century Berlin faced a similar problem and dealt with it the same way: by opening new cemeteries on its outskirts. In two cases it went even further: it set up new burial grounds in Brandenburg. Here's a short story of one of them and the railway line (not a pneumatic one) built to serve its guests - a line which opened for regular service on June 3, 1913.To visit Stahnsdorf Cemetery with a guide, please visit the cemetery's web page at Veranstaltungen - Südwestkirchhof Stahnsdorf (suedwestkirchhof.de)To find out more about the famous Berliners buried in Stahnsdorf visit:Wikipedia page of the cemeteryTo see maps of the railway line known as "Leichenbahn" visit (highly recommended) page of Stadtschnellbahn-BerlinTo watch a short film presenting the state of the line's remains today go to The Vanished Railway Line to Stahnsdorf by AirBerlTo support the show and its running, please visit my Buy Me A Coffee page here.Sounds:Main theme: “Assembly Line Frustration" © Ionics Music | TerraSound.deVia Freesound:"Bells and religious hymn on the top of "Dell'Avocata" mountainSupport the showRead fascinating stories from Berlin's past and present, and listen to all the episodes from Season 1 and 2 of the podcast on Substack: theberlincompanion.com Enjoy Berlin audio-tours created by yours truly: download Berlin Companion Audio-Walks App (free access code for all annual Substack blog supporters).You can also find me at:Bluesky: @berlincompanion.bsky.social Twitter: @kreuzbergedInstagram: The Berlin CompanionThreads: theberlincompanionAnd if you would like to become a regular subscriber to this show and help me spend more time digging in my vast archives, chasing new stories and turning these into shiny new episodes - support the podcast by buying me a coffee or by subscribing to Berlin Companion at Substack (both links below):Buy Me a Coffee (or a Beer)Berlin Companion at SubstackMusic for the show by ...