What is "melaten-friedhof"

The Melaten-Friedhof (Melaten Cemetery) is the central cemetery of Cologne, Germany. It lies on the northern border of the district municipality of Lindenthal. It was first mentioned in 1243.In the south it limits the Aachener Straße , in the east the Piusstraße, in the West, the Oskar-Jäger-Straße and the Melatengürtel, north Weinsbergstraße. The 435000 m² large cemetery is on the number of graves (55540; 2008) is the largest city cemetery.

The name "Melaten" originates from a ‘hospital’ for the sick and lepers proven (verified) there already in the 12th century. The “hoff to Malaten” (modern: Hof der Maladen / yard of the ‘ malades’ (=ill)) was first mentioned in 1243.