Here before us stands the Alban Stolz Bust. A bronze memorial to a complex figure. A man of faith a prolific writer a controversial personality. This bust. Erected in 1913 near the Collegium Borromaeum. It’s a testament to his influence on Freiburg’s religious and intellectual life. Yet. Its presence sparks debate.
Alban Stolz. Born in 1808 he was a Catholic theologian. He was also a Volksschriftsteller. That is a writer for the common people. He became a professor at the University of Freiburg. He also achieved the title of Geistlicher Rat. This means spiritual councilor. He held significant positions within the church. His writings. Widely read in his time. Covered religious topics education and even his travel experiences. He journeyed to Spain Turkey and the Holy Land. These adventures inspired many of his works.
But Stolz’s legacy isn’t without its dark side. He was a known antisemite. His writings contained numerous antisemitic articles. He used metaphors of disease and pestilence to fuel hatred against Jewish people. He attacked prominent figures like Berthold Auerbach Heinrich Heine and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. This antisemitism was a significant part of his work. Sadly influencing countless readers.
In 2020 the bust was removed from its original location. The decision followed years of debate. The Erzbistum Freiburg and the city’s Kulturbürgermeister wanted it removed. They were concerned about his antisemitic views. The Denkmalbehörde originally opposed the removal. They viewed the bust as a protected cultural monument of artistic value. Eventually the city found a way to relocate the bust. The bust now rests in the garden of the Priesterseminar. It is a quieter less prominent location.
This relocation. However. Doesn’t erase Stolz’s contributions or his flaws. The Alban Stolz Bust remains a point of discussion. A reminder of a complicated past. It serves as a significant conversation starter for Freiburg’s history. A history shaped by both positive contributions and regrettable prejudices. We can reflect here on this multifaceted past. Studying the man and his context. We can learn from it.