Did a wild boar really cause such commotion? Here at the Platz am Wilden Eber, stands a bronze sculpture of a boar. This isn’t just any boar. It’s the Wilder Eber, a life-sized representation of the very creature that supposedly terrorized this area back in 1885. The Wilder Eber sculpture, created by Paul Gruson in the 1920s, sits proudly atop a concrete pedestal. The original sculpture, sadly, didn’t survive the war. This one is a recast, unveiled in 1961. The boar is depicted in a tense, almost threatening pose. Its powerful body rests on its haunches, front legs splayed with distinct toes gripping the ground. The boar’s mouth is open in a menacing snarl. The space between the boar and the plinth is filled with stylized bronze grass, adding to the dynamic feel. While realistic in form, the Wilder Eber’s surface has an abstract quality. Notice the summarized bristle coat and the almost human-like eyes. Look for the inscriptions too. Gruson’s name is cast on the back, along with “GUSS H. NOACK BERLIN”. The Platz am Wilden Eber was once a quiet, idyllic spot on the edge of Grunewald forest. Now a busy traffic circle, it still holds this captivating piece of Berlin’s history. The legend goes that in 1885, a wild boar stormed into the “Zur Waldschänke” beer garden. The innkeeper, after dispatching the beast, renamed his establishment “Gasthaus zum Wilden Eber,” or “Wild Boar Inn.” So, was there truly a wild boar terrorizing Schmargendorf? Or is it a tall tale? The Wilder Eber sculpture stands as a reminder of this local legend, adding a touch of wildness to this urban landscape.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in