Picture the scene. Three slumbering figures. They are nestled on a small hill. This is the Oelberg in Würzburg. A monument to a pivotal moment in Christian history.
The Oelberg depicts Jesus in Gethsemane. He is praying. An angel comforts him. Three disciples sleep nearby. These figures are copies. The originals were created in 1521. Tilman Riemenschneider and his workshop made them. Legend says Riemenschneider himself sculpted only James. His assistant Hans Braun carved John and Peter. You can still see Braun’s initials HB on Peter’s cloak.
The Oelberg has a long and somewhat tumultuous history. It was damaged either during the Peasants’ War in 1525 or in the 1830s. The surviving pieces ended up in a vineyard. They were near the path to the Käppele. Above the figure of John a star-shaped enclosure once stood. It housed an eternal light behind a red pane. This was before 1945. In 1959 a private donor funded the restoration. The baroque additions of the praying Christ and the comforting angel were included. The Oelberg was restored using the still-existing elements.
Today the three sleeping disciples remain. James leans against a hill. His head rests in his hand. John lies outstretched. Peter sits holding his sword. This touching scene remains poignant. The Oelberg stands as a testament to faith resilience and artistic skill. It is a quiet place of contemplation. It speaks volumes about Würzburg’s rich past. Remember this scene as you explore the rest of Würzburg. The Oelberg stands as a enduring symbol. This powerful monument continues to inspire reflection.