Ever noticed the figure standing near the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof entrance? That’s Dienstmann Muck. This sculpture immortalizes a beloved Heidelberg original.
Dienstmann Muck was born Johannes Fries in Neuenheim in 1837. His father was a fisherman named Georg Fries. Muck’s early life saw him herding geese by the Neckar river. Later, he worked as a carpenter.
Eventually, Johannes Fries became Dienstmann number 73. He worked at the Heidelberg main station. Students gave him the nickname “Muck”. He was also an overseer at student duels. These duels took place in the Heidelberg Corps Suevia and Corona. Muck even acted as a messenger of love for the students.
Dienstmann Muck was known for his unique personality. People appreciated his helpfulness. They admired his modesty and quick wit. His loyalty was legendary.
Many old photographs show Dienstmann Muck. Drawings and paintings of him are still visible today. You can find them in the restaurants “Zum roten Ochsen” and “Zum Weißen Schwanen” in Heidelberg’s old town. His death mask is in the restaurant “Goldener Hecht”.
Dienstmann Muck died in 1905 at the age of 68. He was penniless. Yet he remained unforgotten in Heidelberg. A poem was written for the centenary of Suevia in 1910. It expressed the feelings for Muck. “We find no other. The dear Mucke equal.”
The sculptor Armin Guther created the Dienstmann Muck sculpture. He gifted it to Deutsche Bahn. The unveiling took place on June 9, 2001. Guther dedicated the sculpture to his sons Andreas and Stefan.
So, the next time you pass Dienstmann Muck, remember Johannes Fries. He was a true Heidelberg character. He remains immortalized in this sculpture. His spirit lives on in the heart of Heidelberg.