“My strength belongs to the world and the Fatherland.” These words, the Wahlspruch of Kaiser Wilhelm I, resonate even now before his imposing memorial. Here we stand before the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal in Essen. It is a testament to a pivotal era in German history. This equestrian statue portrays Wilhelm I as a commanding general. He wears his general’s uniform complete with a mantle and Pickelhaube.
Erected during the German Empire, this monument glorifies Wilhelm I. He is celebrated as the founder of the Empire and victor over France’s Second Empire. The statue links directly to Essen’s historical significance. Following Germany’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 Wilhelm I became the first German Emperor. That victory was partly attributed to steel cannons produced by Alfred Krupp. Krupp’s factory located west of Essen manufactured these cannons. They possessed nearly double the range of French bronze cannons. The Kaiser visited Essen multiple times. His last visit was in 1886.
Hermann Volz, a professor from Karlsruhe, designed this bronze statue. The foundation stone was laid without ceremony on August 26 1898. The complete Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal was inaugurated on October 23 1898. The Burgplatz and Rathaus were richly decorated for the occasion. Houses flew flags. Fifty-four local clubs gathered. They paraded from Gerlingsplatz to Burgplatz. Dignitaries watched from the Markt. The clubs assembled on Burgplatz. The guests of honor took their seats on the terrace. Choirs sang.
Erich Zweigert, Essen’s mayor, delivered a speech. He stood on a podium next to the monument. After more songs, Zweigert signaled the unveiling. Bells rang. Cannons fired. The crowd sang “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles.” Karl von Wedel, representing the Kaiser, gave a toast. The city laid a laurel wreath. The Essen Schützenverein also laid a wreath. Festivities continued with a banquet and illuminations.
Essen’s citizens largely funded the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal. Industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp and the Waldthausen family donated the most. They gave 20.000 Mark each. Total donations reached 116.000 Mark. Hermann Volz created the 4.5-meter bronze statue.
City building councilor Wiebe designed the substructure. It cost 65.000 Mark. The city covered the cost. Swedish granite formed the terrace. It had an iron boundary. The terrace raised the Burgplatz to the level of Burgstraße. Steps made of sandstone led to the terrace. The terrace measured 28.4 by 17.6 meters.
The monument base used green Odenwald syenite and gray granite. It measured 3.4 by 6.63 meters. It stood four meters high. A lion guarded the imperial coat of arms. An inscription read: “Wilhelm der Grosse, Deutscher Kaiser, König von Preussen.” Above, a banner displayed the Kaiser’s motto. The Kaiser crown sat above this banner. One side bore the inscription referencing difficult childhood memories. Another side spoke of peace and national welfare. The back simply stated: “Die dankbare Stadt Essen” – “The grateful city of Essen”.
The city redesigned the inner city in 1924. The grounds of Burgplatz were straightened. A staircase connected it to Burgstraße. In September 1928, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal moved. It was relocated to the southwestern edge of Burgplatz. The statue received a new simplified base. A wooden model tested the new location.
The bronze lion statue first went to the Schillerwiese. In 1940, it was melted down for the war effort. On September 8 1994, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal was placed under monument protection.
So here stands the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal. It is a reminder of a powerful emperor. It also stands as a symbol of Essen’s rich industrial history. The monument serves as a lasting tribute. It honors a significant chapter in German history.