Helmut Kohl's new tomb: A monument of unity in Speyer!

Helmut Kohl's new tomb: A monument of unity in Speyer!

The redesign of Helmut Kohl's grave in Speyer has finally been completed. The former Chancellor, who died on June 16, 2017, now has an impressive final resting place that has a high monument character. This was also emphasized by his widow, Maike Kohl-Richter, who worked with great commitment on the redesign. The new memorial stone, made of light yellow sandstone, towers over the surrounding area with its impressive 2.50 meters height. It bears the inscription “Chancellor of Unity” and “Honorary Citizen of Europe” along with Kohl’s name and dates of birth and death (1930-2017), all handmade.

The privacy screen around the grave was recently removed, which completes the design. An attractive stone field surrounds the rectangular gravestone, which is more than a meter wide and almost a meter deep. According to Kohl-Richter's wishes, this should help the place become a friendly place of remembrance. Gold Rider cypress trees are grouped around the stone field in a U-shape, covering a fence and at the same time underlining the atmosphere of peace and reflection.

A place of memory

The dense planting of osmanthus also provides a natural privacy screen so that unauthorized persons do not have direct access to the grave. In addition, two paved areas invite you to lay flowers, while a bench invites you to linger and pause. In keeping with the spirit of remembrance, there is also a QR code that directs visitors to information about the monument as well as Helmut Kohl's life and work.

Kohl-Richter bears the costs for the design and maintenance of the grave site himself, without disclosing specific figures. Previously, the grave, which attracted many attentions since Kohl's burial on July 1, 2017, was decorated with plants, Palatinate red sandstone and a wooden cross. The latter caused controversy in 2019 when Kohl-Richter decided against a gravestone, which was considered unfortunate by some. However, she showed no understanding for the “voyeurism” of some passers-by during the construction work.

Kohl's legacy

Helmut Kohl, who is considered “one of the greatest in German politics,” linked his political career closely to the unity of Germany and European unification. His achievements are recognized not only by the new gravestone, but also by people's interest in his life. At a time when gratitude and memories of important personalities like Kohl are very popular, the newly designed grave fulfills an important role in Speyer and beyond.

The redesign of the grave marks the successful completion of a year-long process that underlines the claim of Helmut Kohl's widow to create a place that is more than just a grave - it should be a place of remembrance and respect for an important statesman. World reports on it, and other media also report on Kohl's remarkable life and the many facets of his personality that continue to have an impact today. Considering the numerous Helmut Kohls in history, one can say that his contribution remains unforgettable. Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of important personalities named Helmut, including many who are important in German history.