Do you smell that? The faint aroma of fried potatoes lingers in the air around the Pannekaukenfrau. This bronze statue stands here as a tribute to the resourceful women of Schwerte. She reminds everyone of their resilience in times of hardship.
Let me tell you the story behind this iconic figure. The Pannekaukenfrau is more than just a statue. She embodies the spirit of Schwerte. “Pannekauken-Schwaierte” is the town’s nickname. It recalls the efforts of Schwerte’s women to alleviate the citizens’ hunger in the Middle Ages. The town carries this name with pride.
Back then, times were tough. There was barely any seed left for planting grain. So, the women decided to plant potatoes in the less fertile soil. They also grew rapeseed and pressed it into oil at the old mill on the Strang. What could be better than oil and potatoes? Schwerte’s women soon learned to bake tasty potato cakes called “Pannekauken”. These potato cakes eased the hunger in the town. They saved the people of Schwerte from starvation.
Thanks to the ingenuity of these women, “Pannekauken” became a staple food. It even became a festive dish in Schwerte. This is why the town got its nickname “Pannekauken-Schwaierte”.
The Denkmal der Pannekaukenfrau was erected on September 2nd, 1984. It was a big day for the people of Schwerte. The Schwerter Schichtwesen funded the monument. Karl Ewald, the Oberschichtmeister at the time, designed the figure. The Winkelmann artist family then created the bronze figure for Cava-dei-Tirreni-Platz. Now, the Pannekaukenfrau stands on Ostenstraße near Cava-dei-Tirreni-Platz.
For years, people wanted a visible sign to revive neighborhood spirit. There were some objections. Some argued that eating too many Pannekauken symbolized poverty. They thought it showed commercial backwardness and a limited mentality.
But the majority supported the idea. In a few years, they raised 30,000 DM to erect the sculpture. Karl Ewald played a key role in the Pannekaukenfrau’s creation. His design came from his own hand. At the unveiling, he spoke of the Schwerte women’s achievements during hard times. He stressed that the figure was a timeless symbol of women’s energy. It stands as a sign of social responsibility and helpfulness.
After Count Adolf I. elevated Schwerte to city status in 1243, the citizens gained city rights. They also got permission to build a wall around the town. This wall and its four strong gates protected Schwerte’s residents. The town became a place of trade and craftsmanship. Schwerte joined the Hanseatic League. Schwerte merchants traded goods as far as Russia.
However, misfortune struck the town repeatedly. Foreign soldiers invaded the town, robbing, burning, and murdering. Severe diseases wiped out more than half the population. Hardly had the town recovered when new blows fell. Three major fires destroyed houses, turning them to rubble. It was the women of Schwerte who did not give up at this time.
The Pannekaukenfrau is a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope and ingenuity can prevail. She is a symbol of Schwerte’s identity. She represents the strength and spirit of its people.