Löwe Statue

A silent guardian stands watch at the southern end of the Graben, where the elegant Königsallee gracefully concludes. This is the Löwe Statue, an enduring symbol of Düsseldorf’s rich history. Cast in bronze and standing proudly atop a pedestal, the Löwe represents the Bergischer Löwe, the heraldic lion of the Counts and Dukes of Berg. This isn’t the first time a lion has graced this spot. In 1916, a wooden lion, sculpted by Johannes Knubel, was erected as a “war landmark”. Citizens could purchase iron and bronze nails which were then hammered into the statue. The proceeds went towards alleviating wartime hardship. This tradition raised a remarkable 800,000 Marks in just one year. However, the elements took their toll and by 1934, the wooden Löwe was dismantled. The bronze lion head was preserved and now resides in the Stadtmuseum. Knubel crafted a new teakwood lion in 1937, but it too met an unfortunate end during a bombing raid in 1942. Finally, in 1963, to commemorate the city’s 675th anniversary, the current bronze Löwe was commissioned. It was a gift from the banking house C. G. Trinkaus, celebrating its 175th anniversary. This time, sculptor Philipp Harth was entrusted with the task, and the renowned Kunstgießerei Schmäke cast the enduring bronze. Since its unveiling on September 14, 1963, the Löwe Statue has stood guard, a testament to Düsseldorf’s resilience and a reminder of its storied past.