Karl August von Hardenberg Statue

Did the Karl August von Hardenberg Statue always stand here, before the Prussian Landtag? No. This bronze figure, a testament to the Prussian statesman and reformer, has traveled a fascinating path. The Karl August von Hardenberg Statue, crafted by Martin Götze between 1904 and 1907, captures Hardenberg in a dignified pose. He clutches a file in his right hand, his left resting on his hip. More files lie at his feet, one notably titled “Equality before the Law”. The statue’s granite base features two bronze reliefs: Hardenberg’s coat of arms and the inscription “HARDENBERG / 1750–1822”. Originally, the Karl August von Hardenberg Statue resided in Dönhoffplatz, part of an ensemble with a larger stone monument. After World War II, the statue vanished, its location unknown for decades. Then, thanks to Walter Momper’s initiative, a reconstruction began in 2005, based on Götze’s model and owned by the Hardenberg family. Finally, in 2011, the Karl August von Hardenberg Statue found its current home here, a fitting location given Hardenberg’s dedication to Prussian reform. Hardenberg, born in 1750, dedicated his life to reshaping Prussia. He served in various roles, from minister in Ansbach-Bayreuth to Prussian Foreign Minister. He pushed for administrative reforms, modernized governance, and played a crucial role in the Prussian reforms alongside Baron vom Stein. His vision extended to a centralized state with a constitution guaranteeing human rights. Hardenberg believed in equality of opportunity, free economic development, and respect for property. His policies, though sometimes controversial, aimed to strengthen Prussia and improve the lives of its people. He advocated for the emancipation of Jews and the abolition of serfdom.