Berg Cemetery Ruhpolding

The old part of the mountain cemetery is listed as a historical monument and is registered under the number D-1-89-140-15 in the Bavarian Monument List. Subsurface medieval and early modern findings in the area of the cemetery and the parish church are also registered as archaeological monuments under the number D-1-8241-0003 in the monument list.

Even before construction of St. George's Church began in 1738, the cemetery of Ruhpolding was located at exactly the same spot where the mountain cemetery still stands today. Instead of the Souls Chapel, there was a Gothic parish church on the highest point of the cemetery, which had fallen into disrepair by the early 18th century, and which was removed before the new parish church was built. Besides the poor condition of the old church, complaints from the Ruhpolding population contributed to the decision to undertake both the new construction of the church and the redesign of the cemetery. At that time, the deceased were often buried only wrapped in linen cloths and covered with little earth. In a petition, the parish community appealed to the authorities, criticizing the unacceptable conditions in the cemetery. The letter stated that "it was intolerable for the bones to be exposed and the stench of the dead to be unbearable." There was also a request for a wall and solid paths in the cemetery. The authorities ultimately relented, and thus the redesign of the cemetery and the construction of the new parish church were undertaken.

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