Reiter-Denkmal

Gazing upon the Reiter-Denkmal, one might sense the weight of history. The Reiter-Denkmal in Lüneburg, a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the 13th Cavalry Regiment, stands as a silent witness to the city’s past. This equestrian statue, created by August Waterbeck in 1939, originally stood before the Schlieffenkaserne. It later found its new home in the Basteipark at the Schifferwall in 1956, placed atop a granite pedestal. The statue itself is a hollow galvanoplastic sculpture, a thin layer of metal, approximately 5-8 mm thick. It depicts a cavalryman, a tribute to the regiment’s tradition. Over the years, the Reiter-Denkmal suffered damage, particularly to the horse’s legs. Cracks and deformations threatened its stability. A thorough endoscopic examination revealed corrosion and loss of material in the inner supporting structure. The delicate process of restoration required dismantling the statue. It was transported to Haber & Brandner’s metal restoration workshop in Berlin. There, the original material was reinforced and conserved. After retouching and applying a protective layer of microcrystalline wax, the Reiter-Denkmal returned to Lüneburg. It once again stands proudly, a restored symbol of remembrance in the heart of the city. The statue serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the enduring legacy of history.