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Melaten Friedhof Köln

Anamorphic

My very first steps at anamorphic photography.

Melaten Cemetery (Melaten-Friedhof), established in 1810, is one of Cologne’s most significant historical landmarks. Located west of the city center, it was built on the site of a medieval leper colony, with the name “Melaten” derived from the French word “malade,” meaning sick. The cemetery was created during the Napoleonic era when burial grounds were required to be placed outside city walls due to health concerns.

Covering 435,000 square meters, Melaten is designed like a park, with tree-lined avenues and lush greenery, creating a peaceful, reflective space. Its layout blends natural beauty with striking architectural features, including elaborate mausoleums, chapels, and sculptures in Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and classical styles. Many of the gravestones are significant works of art, crafted by renowned sculptors and architects from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable figures from Cologne’s history. Among them are Konrad Adenauer, West Germany’s first post-World War II Chancellor, and Jacques Offenbach, the famous composer. Other prominent burials include actor Willy Millowitsch and art collector Ferdinand Franz Wallraf. There are also memorials dedicated to the victims of both World Wars and the Holocaust.

Today, Melaten is a protected heritage site and remains a popular destination for guided tours, where visitors can explore the lives of the individuals buried there, the artistry of the gravestones, and Cologne’s historical evolution. Combining history, art, and nature, Melaten Cemetery is not only a place of remembrance but a window into Cologne’s cultural and social past, attracting locals and visitors alike.

Equipment

• Sony a7 IV
• Samyang V-AF 75mm T1.9
• Samyang 1.7x Anamorphic MF Adapter