Heiliger Georg Statue

Gazing upon the Heiliger Georg statue, one might hear whispers of its incredible journey. The Heiliger Georg, a masterpiece of the Berlin Sculpture School, stands proudly here in the Nikolaiviertel. This bronze giant, approximately 5.5 meters high, depicts St. George battling a dragon. Created between 1853 and 1855 by August Kiss, the Heiliger Georg is remarkably detailed. See the cross-crowned helmet, the sword poised to strike, and the cross staff held firm. The dragon, wings outstretched, claws at the horse’s chest, a testament to Kiss’s skill. Kiss, a Prussian sculptor, transported the Heiliger Georg by rail to the 1855 Paris World Exhibition. There, it won second place. After Kiss’s death in 1865, his widow gifted the statue to King Wilhelm I. The King placed it in the courtyard of the Berlin Palace. The palace suffered severe damage during World War II and was later demolished in 1950. The Heiliger Georg then found a temporary home in Volkspark Friedrichshain. Finally, in 1987, the statue returned to Mitte, close to its original location. It now graces the Nikolai Quarter, opposite Museum Island. More recently, in 2010 and 2011, the Heiliger Georg underwent extensive restoration. It was returned to its red granite plinth on the Spree River bank in June 2011. The restoration cost 120,000 euros and was celebrated with a spectacular festival. So, the next time you admire the Heiliger Georg, remember its incredible journey through time. From palace courtyards to park ponds, this iconic statue has truly stood the test of time.