The Alter Südfriedhof (Old South Cemetery) also known as "Alter Südlicher Friedhof" is a cemetery in Munich, Germany. It was founded by Duke Albrecht V as a plague cemetery in 1563 about half a kilometer south of the Sendlinger Gate between Thalkirchner and Pestalozzistraße.

History

The cemetery was established in 1563, during the reign of Albert V, Duke of Bavaria, for victims of the plague and located outside the city gates. It was also the burial ground of the dead from the Sendling uprising of 1705, in which over 1100 were killed after they had surrendered to the troops of Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor. From 1788 to 1867 it was the single collective burial ground for the dead of the city.

Notable interments

Between 1788 and 1868, it served as the sole cemetery for the entire metropolitan area of Munich, resulting in the presence of notable graves belonging to several prominent figures from that period in Munich's history.

Current use

The cemetery today serves as an Art and Cultural history monument, and is open to the public as an official Munich park. Most of the monuments, which suffered from exposure to weather and pollution, have been renovated and cleaned, in a three-year project (2004–2007). The St. Stephan's church has also been renovated.