Here stands the Balthasar-Neumann-Stele. A simple yet powerful monument. It honors a remarkable man. Balthasar Neumann the architect of Würzburg’s Residenz.
The Stele itself is not grand. It is about two meters high. Mostly made of shell limestone. A round column supports a near-circular plaque. This plaque is intricately detailed. It features bronze volutes. These swirling decorations frame a bronze portrait of Neumann himself. A bronze inscription sits beneath. It reads his name. The column also bears an inscription. It simply states “Builder of the Residenz”.
This unassuming sculpture has a fascinating history. It wasn’t always here. Sculptor Herbert Spielmann created it. For a long time it stood before the Balthasar-Neumann-Schule. That school in the Zellerau district closed. The Stele then stood unmoored on Frankfurter Straße.
Manfred Seubert a former headmaster spearheaded a move. In May 2006 the Stele found a new home. It now sits on the Balthasar-Neumann-Promenade. This is near the Residenz. The proximity is perfect. Neumann’s legacy is now firmly connected to his masterpiece.
The relocation wasn’t cheap. Sponsors Manfred Seubert Werner Scheller Professor Walter Eykmann and City Councilor Wolfgang Zirkelbach contributed. They raised around 3000 Euros. This covered the move and restoration. Their dedication ensures Neumann’s memory remains vibrant. The Balthasar-Neumann-Stele stands as a testament. It tells of a great architect and a community’s pride in its heritage.