Emerging from the Erfurt train station, imagine a grand staircase beckoning you towards the Stadtpark. At its peak, a serene pool reflects the sky, and there she is: the Badende Statue. The Badende, or “Bathing Woman,” is a limestone sculpture created in 1911 by Arthur Lewin-Funcke. Originally placed here to grace the newly established Stadtpark, the Badende has witnessed a century of Erfurt’s history unfold. This almost life-sized, semi-kneeling figure is the sole surviving piece of the original Art Nouveau sculptures that once adorned the park. The Badende is more than just a statue. She’s a symbol of resilience. In 2015, vandals tragically damaged the original Badende, breaking off her hands and part of an arm. For five years, she remained hidden, kept safe in the city’s museum depot. But Erfurt wouldn’t let her story end there. Funds were raised, and expert restorers meticulously brought the original Badende back to life. The statue you see before you is a faithful copy. The original, bearing the scars of its past, now resides in the Angermuseum. So, as you admire the Badende Statue, remember her journey. She’s a testament to the enduring power of art and the community that cherishes it. The Badende is a quiet observer of Erfurt’s vibrant energy, a link between the city’s past and its present.
Großfahner
“Großfahner,” a name whispered on the Thuringian wind. It is a municipality in the district of Gotha. Today, we explore