Imagine a bishop’s final breath. Here, near the foot of Marienberg Fortress, stands the Dritte Zobelsäule. It marks the spot where Fürstbischof Melchior Zobel von Giebelstadt died.
Let’s step back to April 15, 1558. Bishop Melchior was riding from the Old Main Bridge to the fortress. Suddenly, assassins attacked. They were sent by Wilhelm von Grumbach. Christian Kretzer led the riders.
The attackers shot at the bishop. He fled toward the fortress wounded. He fell from his horse partway there. Though given last rites, he died on the way to safety. This Dritte Zobelsäule marks that tragic end. Jakob Fuchs and Karl von Wenkheim, two of his companions, also died in the attack.
Melchior Zobel’s successor, Friedrich von Wirsberg, erected the Zobelsäulen. They commemorate the assassination. There are three in total. Each marks a significant location in the bishop’s final moments.
This Dritte Zobelsäule mirrors the design of the first. You will notice its location below the Schöntor. Look closely at the column. See the profiled base adorned with fan rosettes? The round column tapers slightly upward. The top features identical designs on both sides.
Bronze plaques bear inscriptions. These inscriptions match the first Zobelsäule. The inscription is a poem. The first letters of each line spell out Melchior Zobel’s name.
The upper part displays the Zobel coat of arms. On the back are the arms of the Fuchs and Wenkheim families. The year 1558 is also displayed. Above it all is a cross with trefoil ends.
The Dritte Zobelsäule serves as a stark reminder. It marks the spot of a violent end. It also honors a bishop. He died defending his beliefs. Take a moment to reflect. Consider the events of that day. Remember Fürstbischof Melchior Zobel von Giebelstadt. His legacy lives on.