A majestic equestrian statue stands before you. This is the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal in Essen. It depicts Kaiser Wilhelm I. This bronze monument wasn’t always here. Its journey mirrors Essen’s own transformation.
The statue’s creation was a significant event. It was unveiled on October 23 1898. The Burgplatz and Rathaus were adorned for the occasion. Fifty-four Essen societies paraded to the Burgplatz. High-ranking officials attended. Speeches and songs filled the air. The unveiling was accompanied by bells and celebratory gunfire. The crowd sang Deutschland Deutschland uber alles.
The statue’s designer was Hermann Volz. He was a professor at the Karlsruhe State Academy of Fine Arts. The project faced challenges. Two initial attempts to commission the statue failed. Volz’s design a 4.5-meter-high bronze equestrian statue finally won approval.
Funding came primarily from Essen citizens. Friedrich Alfred Krupp and the Waldthausen family were major donors. Each contributed 20,000 marks. The total raised amounted to 116 000 marks.
The original location included an elaborate terrace. It was built by city architect Wiebe. The terrace was made from Swedish granite. It cost an additional 65 000 marks. This sum was covered by the city. The base featured a bronze lion protecting the Reich’s coat of arms. Inscriptions detailed Wilhelm I’s life and philosophy. The lion was sadly melted down during World War II.
In 1928 the statue was moved. The city was undergoing a major urban renewal. The statue’s new location was near the Lichtburg building. A simplified base replaced the original terrace.
The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal is more than a statue. It is a symbol. It embodies Essen’s industrial past its civic pride and its ongoing evolution. It stands as a reminder of a pivotal moment in German history a time of both triumph and transformation. Look closely. Notice the details. Let the story of the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Denkmal and Essen resonate within you.