Sculpted in 1972 by Max Schegulla, the Eidelstedter Löwe isn’t your typical lion. This bronze beast resides not in a savannah or zoo, but on a children’s playground. Here, at Rebenacker 12 in Eidelstedt, Hamburg, the Eidelstedter Löwe invites children to climb and play. Forget roaring fierceness. The Eidelstedter Löwe embodies whimsical charm. Its large, round head has a friendly, storybook quality. Its long neck doubles as a slide. Its elongated body resembles a small mountain range, perfect for clambering and crawling. Schegulla, born in Trachtenberg, Silesia in 1918, wasn’t just a sculptor. He was also an architect and art historian, studying in Breslau and Cologne under Gerhard Marcks. His diverse portfolio encompasses sculptures in bronze, aluminum, and steel. It also includes winged altars, stained-glass windows, and even concrete-glass windows. The Eidelstedter Löwe stands as a testament to Schegulla’s unique artistic vision. He didn’t aim to replicate nature. Instead, he crafted a creature of pure imagination, a playful addition to the urban landscape. Schegulla’s works grace public spaces and private collections in Hamburg, Kiel, Bochum, and Dortmund. His legacy is preserved by the Gerhard Marcks Museum in Bremen. So next time you’re near the Eidelstedter Löwe, take a moment to appreciate its playful spirit. It’s a reminder that art can be both beautiful and functional, inspiring joy in the youngest among us.
Allerheiligen Kirche
Hidden within Hamburg’s Neugraben-Fischbek district lies the Allerheiligen Kirche. It serves as a spiritual home for Ukrainian immigrants. The Allerheiligen