Disruptions in Hamburg: Insect in Ottensen and Jewish Cemetery in Ohlsdorf
Hamburg's Jewish Cemetery and Motte Cultural Centre Face Delays in Renovation
The Jewish Cemetery Ohlsdorf, a historically significant burial ground for the Jewish community in Hamburg, and the Motte neighbourhood cultural centre in Ottensen, have faced delays in their renovation plans.
The Jewish Cemetery Ohlsdorf, opened in 1883, contains approximately 18,000 graves and is the only cemetery in Hamburg where burials still take place according to Jewish ritual. It holds great importance for the Jewish community in the city, with its gravestones transferred from Grindelfriedhof and Ottenser Friedhof, and a memorial commemorating victims of National Socialism.
However, the renovation works for the cemetery have been delayed due to planning and funding issues. The construction is expected to begin in late 2025, with the funding application not expected to be submitted until the fourth quarter of 2025. The exact timeline and cost for the renovation are not yet available.
The Motte, a cultural and educational location since 1976, has also faced delays in its renovation. The planned renovation was originally scheduled for mid-2024, but is now expected to be completed in October 2026, a delay of almost two years. The estimated cost for the renovation and barrier-free modernization is 3.5 million euros, but an updated forecast is not yet available.
The delays in the Motte's renovation have been attributed to complex negotiations about user needs, additional requirements in the building permit process, and a complex tendering process. The renovation includes the installation of barrier-free sanitary facilities to make the facility more accessible.
The Motte remains an important cultural anchor for Ottensen, despite the delays in its renovation. Its role is set to expand with improved rooms and infrastructure in the future.
Delays in various Hamburg projects, including the Jewish Cemetery renovation and the Motte's renovation, are due to extensive coordination processes, heritage protection requirements, and procedural issues. These delays result in longer waiting times before affected facilities and users can utilize the renovated or newly constructed buildings.
Mika Harari, chairman of the Jewish Community in Hamburg, had hoped to complete the work by 2023, but delays are attributed to revisions of the concept in coordination with monument protection and clarifications regarding ownership issues. The renovation of the Jewish Cemetery's mourning hall and outdoor facilities is estimated to cost around 4.9 million euros, with funding shared between federal and state entities.
The delays in the Jewish Cemetery renovation mean that the community must continue to wait for the urgently awaited restoration. The Motte, despite its delays, remains a beacon of cultural and educational activity in Hamburg-Ottensen.
