Where could a humble tailor find himself at odds with a wealthy tax collector? Why, right here in front of the D\u00fcxer Bock Statue. This statue represents more than just a goat. It embodies a quirky Cologne legend. Our story takes us back to old Deutz, where a poor tailor supplemented his income by raising songbirds. His melodic birdsong, however, deeply annoyed his wealthy neighbor, a tax collector who cherished his sleep.
The tax collector took the tailor to court to silence the birds. He argued that the birdsong was a nuisance. Much to his dismay, the judge, a songbird enthusiast himself, ruled in favor of the tailor. Outraged and seeking revenge, the tax collector devised a petty plan. He procured a goat and hung it in a basket outside his window, intentionally depriving it of food. The goat’s constant bleating tormented the tailor and made him the laughingstock of Deutz.
Even after the goat, sadly, perished, the tax collector’s vindictiveness continued. He commissioned a stone goat to be placed above his doorway, a permanent reminder of his triumph and the tailor’s humiliation. Unable to withstand the constant mockery, the tailor and his family were forced to leave Deutz. This seemingly petty feud also had a hidden love story. The tailor’s daughter, Gertrud, and the tax collector’s son, Fritz, had fallen deeply in love. They had to keep their love a secret because of their feuding fathers.
This D\u00fcxer Bock statue stands as a tribute to this tale, a reminder that even the most unusual stories can be found in the heart of Cologne. It’s a testament to the enduring power of local legends and a fun reminder that revenge is a dish best not served at all.