Lost in the heart of Tiergarten, have you ever wondered about this intriguing monument? This is the von-Bredow-Denkmal. It stands as a testament to a unique bond. It commemorates C. F. E. von Bredow. He was a Hofmarschall or court marshal. He served Prince Ferdinand of Prussia.
The von-Bredow-Denkmal is not just another statue. It’s a story etched in stone. The monument dates back to the late 18th century. Jean Pierre Antoine Tassaert likely created it between 1774 and 1785.
Originally, the von-Bredow-Denkmal was in the park of Schloss Friedrichsfelde. Prince August Ferdinand von Preußen owned the palace from 1762 to 1784. Bredow served him there. By 1792, the monument had moved to Bellevue Palace park.
Standing before you, the von-Bredow-Denkmal features an obelisk. It rises from an elaborate base. A partially draped cloth adorns the obelisk. Look closely and you’ll see a winged figure. This genius figure appears to be chiseling the inscription. Beside him, a chubby putto nestles into the drapery. He seems to be asleep. The putto points to the Bredow family crest.
The inscription is in French. It reads: “L’Estime et L’Amitié ont érigé ce Monument aux Vertus et aux mérites de C.F.E: de Bredow, Maréchal de la Cour de S.A.R. Monseigneur le Prince Ferdinand de Prusse. Il meurut le 13 Mars 1774”. This translates to “Esteem and Friendship have erected this monument to the virtues and merits of C.F.E. von Bredow, Marshal of the Court of S.A.R. Monseigneur the Prince Ferdinand of Prussia. He died on March 13, 1774.”
The von-Bredow-Denkmal is made of sandstone. This copy you see was installed in 1989. The original, damaged by vandalism in 1841, now resides in the depot of the Berlin State Monuments Office. Dietrich and Hans Starcke created this copy in the 1980s.
Caspar Friedrich Ernst von Bredow was born in 1739. He entered Prince Ferdinand’s court. He managed the prince’s finances. He also handled the financial affairs. Bredow enjoyed the trust of the prince. He died at only 35. The prince deeply mourned Bredow’s death. He erected this von-Bredow-Denkmal. It symbolizes their close relationship.
So, next time you stroll through Tiergarten, remember the von-Bredow-Denkmal. It is more than stone. It represents friendship and trust. It is a lasting tribute.