In 1993, Potsdam hosted a unique event: the “Sculpture Symposium from Europe for Potsdam”. Artists from across the continent converged, their shared language? Granite. Today, we stand before the legacy of that event—the Granitblock Sculpture. It’s more than just a hunk of rock. The Granitblock was created by Serbian artist Janez Lenassi. Sadly, Lenassi passed away in 2008. However, his artistic spirit lives on here, in this very spot.
The Granitblock was initially placed across the street. This location, however, proved problematic. The sculpture, standing at a considerable 2.85 meters, obstructed the view for drivers and cyclists at the intersection. To improve road safety, especially for cyclists, the city decided to relocate the Granitblock.
In 2012, under the watchful eye of sculptor Klaus Müller-Klug, a close friend of Lenassi, the city carefully moved the sculpture. It now stands directly opposite its companion piece, also a granite sculpture, created by Müller-Klug during the same symposium. Together, the two sculptures represent a dialogue, echoing the historic gate symbolism of the area, situated between the Jägertor and Nauener Tor. The Granitblock is a testament to artistic vision, the passage of time, and the evolving landscape of this historic city.