What if I told you that this Große Stehende sculpture has silent guardians? This impressive artwork stands as a testament to Hamburg’s artistic spirit. Its story intertwines with history.
Große Stehende is more than just a sculpture. It is a symbol of Hamburg. The Große Stehende stands tall. It is a reminder of the city’s past and present.
The Große Stehende is near the jetties of Hamburg port. It stands on the Elbhöhe. This is a local recreation area.
The Bismarck Monument is nearby too. The Bismarck Monument is dedicated to Otto von Bismarck. He was an important figure in German history. The monument is one of 240 memorials to Bismarck worldwide. It is the largest and best-known of these Bismarck towers.
The site of the Bismarck Monument was once occupied by the Elbpavillon restaurant. The restaurant was removed in 1901. Mayor Johann Georg Mönckeberg established a commission. The commission erected the monument at the site.
The Bismarck Monument cost 500000 Goldmarks. It was completed in 1906. The photographer Wilhelm Weimar documented the building of the monument. He worked for the Hamburg Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe.
The Bismarck Monument is approximately 35 meters high. It weighs 600 tons. It is the world’s largest Bismarck monument.
Designers created a network of catacombs beneath the Bismarck Monument. From 1939 to 1940, they became an air-raid shelter. It offered protection for up to 650 people. The architect’s intent for the catacombs remains unknown. The interior of the monument is no longer accessible for safety reasons.
In the 1970s, a British soldier discovered a tunnel beneath the Bismarck memorial. It led to a Nazi hideout. He contacted the Daily Mirror newspaper. The newspaper contacted the Burgermeister in Hamburg. Authorities sealed the tunnel.
The statue of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck is 14.8 meters high. It was erected in 1906. The monument weighs 625 tons together with the base. It reaches a height of 34.3 meters. The Iron Chancellor’s head alone measures 1.83 meters. He is wielding an 8-meter-long sword.
An architectural competition was tendered. It was to create a monument honoring the German Empire. Architect Johann Emil Schaudt and Jugendstil artist Hugo Lederer got the nod. Their design was of Otto von Bismarck with a sword in hand.
The Bismarck memorial is surrounded by catacombs. They were decorated with murals. The murals show Prussian motives. They also show the Chancellor’s quotes.
During the war years, residents found shelter from air-raids in the catacombs. One of these attacks damaged the monument. Water entered the foundation.
The Alter Elbpark surrounds the monument. A small history museum will be installed in the catacombs under the monument.
Otto von Bismarck was connected with the city of Hamburg. He resided near the city for almost 30 years. Emperor William I presented him with a large mansion in Friedrichsruh. It became his retirement home. It was his final resting place.
Today, the statue is subject to criticism. This is because of Bismarck’s strong nationalist tendencies. It is also because of his key role in German colonialism.
As you stand before the Große Stehende, consider its place in Hamburg’s story. It stands as a testament to Hamburg’s enduring spirit. It links to the past and present.