Have you heard of the young god Apollo? We are standing before the Apollino. It means “little Apollo”. This statue is a copy of a famous ancient sculpture.
The original marble statue is now in the Uffizi Museum in Florence. It depicts the Greco-Roman sun god. It is believed to be an adaptation of a work by the Greek sculptor Praxiteles. The statue was first recorded in the Villa Medici in Rome in 1704. It was moved to Florence in 1769.
The Apollino became very popular. Many copies were made in the 18th century. It was known for showing the perfect proportions of the human body.
Here in Lützschena, the Apollino has its own story. The statue you see is a cast from the Dresden Sculpture Collection. This collection is one of the most important of its kind. Hans Effenberger, a master craftsman from Weinböhla, created this copy. He used glass fiber reinforced cement mortar.
Before the Apollino could be placed here, some work had to be done. Vincent Pawlas, a restorer from Leipzig, restored the sandstone base. The Apollino shows the young god Apollo resting. He leans against a tree trunk with his right arm over his head.
In Greek mythology, Apollo was the son of Zeus and the goddess Leto. He was one of the twelve main gods of the Greek pantheon. He was known as the god of light. The Greeks also saw him as the god who brought order to religious life. He watched over cultural traditions. Apollo ensured law and order. He stood for balance in all things. He was also the god of science and the arts. He led the Muses.
Maximilian Speck von Sternburg chose this statue for a reason. He was a patron of the arts. He founded this landscape park. The Apollino’s location was carefully chosen.
The project to restore and place the Apollino cost 9,200.00 euros. This was funded entirely by donations. These donations were meant to preserve the park. Much of the money came from wood auctions. Private citizens also donated. They wanted to support the park. The Park Support Association also helped. They raised money through activities. These included flea markets and cake sales. They took place during the annual Schlossparkfest.
The Apollino now stands proudly. It watches over the park. It is a reminder of ancient beauty and the importance of art. It also shows how much the community cares for this park. Next time you visit, take a moment. Admire the Apollino and think about its long history. Consider the dedication of those who brought it here.