IllustrationCome for a shady playground break with a little Saarbrücken history woven into the walk.
Come for a shady playground break with a little Saarbrücken history woven into the walk. Above the Nauwieser Viertel, old trees spread their crowns over lawns, benches and paths beside St. Michael. Head first towards the playground and the small, columned building beside it. This is the former cemetery chapel, affectionately called the Tempel. Its compact façade gives children something to sketch while everyone settles into the slower pace.
Leave a quieter moment for Nachhall, the memorial to Sinti and Roma persecuted and murdered under National Socialism. Three bronze segments surround an empty centre, with curved stone seating, hedging and planting extending the circular design. A smartphone can play the work’s audio through its QR codes. Treat this part of the visit as a chance to listen and remember, then let the children choose between another spell of play and a bench-side snack. Take the ultimate field guide with you: use the Snappit app to identify birds, plants, and animals on your trip.
The Tempel dates from 1846, when this was a cemetery. The grounds gradually became a public park, taking the Echelmeyerpark name in 1923 after parish priest Alois Echelmeyer, who helped bring St. Michael into being. An older war memorial recalls soldiers buried here after the Battle of Spicheren in 1870. The former chapel later served as a small theatre from 1978, adding another chapter to a building that now looks out onto family play.
Make a short out-and-back visit from your chosen public entrance to the Tempel and neighbouring playground, then retrace your paths to the same entrance. Add a separate pause at Nachhall if it suits your family. There is no fixed route length; choose how far to wander. The approaches from Schumannstraße and beside the church include stairs, while the park has gravelly paths and some paving. Bring water and check your onward journey before leaving the surrounding streets.
Autumn leaves and winter ice can make the stairs slippery. After persistent rain, choose firm paths rather than crossing wet lawns. Before travelling, check the city’s park and event pages for temporary changes; follow any barriers on arrival.
Stairs are a real consideration at the southern approaches, and a short visit should not be assumed step-free. Gravelly surfaces and cobbled bands around the memorial may be awkward for small wheels. If you need a continuous step-free route, ask the city to confirm a suitable entrance and path before visiting. Benches offer places to pause.
A playground beside the little Tempel chapel
Older trees, open lawns and places to sit
Nachhall, a memorial with smartphone audio
Views of St. Michael from within the park
Enter by an open public park entrance and follow the paths towards the Tempel. The playground adjoins it on the northern side. Pause at the chapel exterior, then choose a short stretch of tree-lined path to explore before turning back.
Choose a tree beside a path. First photograph its whole crown, then look for a leaf or bark detail you can see without stepping into planting. Compare the outline with a second tree. Children can draw the shapes even when they do not know the names.
The city lists open martial-arts sessions in the park, recommended from age 12, with no previous experience required. Check the current event entry before making a special journey: rain or snow can move the meeting point away from the park.
For passing drizzle, keep the walk short and save the playground for another day. In sustained rain, choose an open indoor stop in the surrounding neighbourhood instead; the chapel should not be your only shelter plan. Leave the trees and exposed paths in a thunderstorm or strong winds.
In October 2017, two students and the then mayor planted a handkerchief tree, Davidia involucrata, here to thank people for solidarity with refugees and to express respect for human rights.
Arnold Fortuin worked at St. Michael from 1927 to 1933 and helped Sinti and Roma families. The memorial’s setting connects that local history with remembrance. Artist Frauke Eckhardt designed the work, including its sound element.
There are benches for a snack beside your walk. Bring drinking water and use a toilet before arriving; check local opening information if you are relying on any service inside the chapel.
Use Saarfahrplan to plan a bus or rail journey towards Echelmeyerpark on Schumannstraße, then check the final walking approach. There is no visitor car parking within the green space. If driving, choose legal parking outside the park and allow for the walk from it.
Choose your entrance with the return journey in mind: a downhill flight of stairs can be as awkward as the climb. If the first approach does not suit your wheels or mobility, pause and confirm an alternative rather than carrying on through the park in hope of an easier exit.
Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.
We are still adding species preview cards for this place.
Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.
Finding it
Use Schumannstraße, 66111 Saarbrücken. Check the entrance you want before setting off, especially with a pushchair.
Pack a small picnic
Bring water and a snack, and arrange toilet stops beforehand. Do not rely on the Tempel being open as a café or toilet stop.
Quiet at the memorial
Keep play to the playground and lawns; give people visiting Nachhall space.
Photographs
Try one view of the chapel, one of St. Michael through the trees and one close-up of a leaf without picking it.
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Maryland, US
You might spot White-Tailed Deer and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
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District of Columbia, US
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Duck, and House Sparrow.
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Illinois, US
You might spot American Robin, Canada Goose, and House Sparrow.
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Virginia, US
You might spot Spotted Lanternfly and Northern Cardinal.
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Take the discovery with you
Identify the wildlife you spot, learn as you go, and keep a collection of the adventure.
