The Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene and Lazarus is a sacred building in the early Gothic style in the Melaten Cemetery in Cologne-Lindenthal Germany. The foundation stone for the chapel was laid in 1243 and consecrated . It is therefore several years older than Cologne Cathedral , whose construction began in 1248.

It is located in the western part of the cemetery, on Aachener Straße , near the “Melaten” tram stop. It goes back to the time when there was a home for lepers on the site of today's cemetery. 

Leprosy was a terrible affliction and the sufferes had a life of social exclusion, persecution, and were outcasts from society.  

I meet a few dead visitors from the 13th Century, and the 21st Century!

Please feel free to contact me or ask me questions, or give me feedback;


[email protected]