Behold the Wolle-Widder. This isn’t just any ram. This stone ram stands proudly on the Leineinsel. It’s a monument a testament to Hanover’s rich industrial past.
The Wolle-Widder commemorates the Dohrener wool washing and combing mill. Founded in 1868 it was Germany’s first factory for mechanically cleaning wool. Mostly imported from far-off lands like Australia and New Zealand.
For its 25th anniversary the mill commissioned this magnificent sculpture. Designed in 1863 by the Berlin sculptor Wilhelm Wolff. The “animal Wolff” as he was known created a realistic Merino ram. It was cast in artificial stone by E March Sons of Charlottenburg near Berlin. Look closely. You’ll see Wolff’s signature and the foundry’s stamp. The inscription reads “To the Dohren colleagues from the German wool combers 1893”.
The Wolle-Widder’s story isn’t without drama. After the mill closed in 1973 the ram was wrapped in cloths. It was stored in the basement of Hanover’s Historical Museum. Imagine its lonely years in the dark.
In the 1980s a new housing development rose on the old factory site. In 1985 the Wolle-Widder was returned. It received a new home a higher pedestal. A plaque commemorates its grand return.
Sadly the ram wasn’t immune to vandalism. In 1989 it was defaced with red paint. Worse in 1994 its testicles were broken off. They remain lost to time. Fortunately donations funded its restoration.
The Wolle-Widder’s story is more than just stone. It’s a symbol of industrial heritage. It’s a reminder of the people who worked in the mill. And a testament to the enduring spirit of Hanover. So next time you see the Wolle-Widder remember its journey. A journey of industry vandalism and ultimately triumph.