Die drei Weisen Statue

Gazing out at the horizon, wouldn’t three wise men offer excellent advice for navigating life’s choppy waters? Here at the Wieck harbor in Greifswald, three weathered wooden figures, known as “Die drei Weisen” or “The Three Wise Men”, seem to do just that. These silent sentinels stand watch at the end of the Nordmole pier, their stoic faces etched with the wisdom of the Baltic winds. Die drei Weisen were born from the chainsaw of Hamburg sculptor Johannes Speder during the 1st International Wood Sculpture Symposium held right here in Greifswald-Wieck in 1996. The symposium was the brainchild of local artist Heinrich Zenichowski, who envisioned bringing artists together to create unique works inspired by this coastal setting. Two years later, the city of Greifswald recognized the unique charm of Die drei Weisen and purchased the trio. They placed them permanently along the sculpture path in Wieck, a popular spot known as the “Utkiek”. Originally, the wise men were a vibrant spectacle of color: white, yellow, and blue. They shared their space with other sculptures, creating a vibrant outdoor gallery by the water. Time and weather took their toll, however, leaving the wooden figures exposed to the elements. By 2019, they were in dire need of attention. Speder, their creator, returned to Wieck to restore his wise men. He carefully cleaned and repaired the weathered wood, leaving the patches visible as a testament to their resilience. He chose not to repaint them, believing their aged appearance added to their character. Finally, he applied a coat of oil to protect them from future weathering. Today, Die drei Weisen stand as a beloved landmark. Their somewhat stern expressions, captured in countless tourist photos, offer a unique welcome to visitors arriving at the Wieck harbor. They remain a testament to the enduring power of art and the beauty of the natural world.