See that intriguing sculpture over there? That is the Living Stone and we are at Gustavsburgplatz. This place might seem like just a square, but it holds stories of change and artistic expression. Gustavsburgplatz is a small park in Frankfurt’s Gallus district. It is named after the former Mainzer district of Gustavsburg.
The Gustavsburgplatz is shaped like a right-angled triangle. Mainzer Landstrasse, Rebstöcker Strasse, and Gustavsburger Strasse border it. You will notice a children’s playground at the corner of Rebstöcker Strasse and Gustavsburger Strasse. Also there is a “Wasserhäuschen” at the corner of Mainzer Landstrasse and Rebstöcker Strasse.
But the most striking feature of Gustavsburgplatz is the Living Stone sculpture. Since 2000, this eight-ton yellow tuff stone has stood here. It came from a quarry near Sinsheim. The sculpture symbolizes the transformation of the Gallus district. The inscription on the stone says it all: “Nichts bleibt wie es ist” – Nothing remains as it is.
Michael Siebel is the artistic director of Bildhauerwerkstatt Gallus. He initiated the installation of the Living Stone. He also involves young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in its ongoing transformation. Over time, the sculpture changes as they work on it. In 2015, sculptor Simon Vogt collaborated with residents and the Jugendkulturwerkstatt to reshape the sculpture. But the inscription remains. It is a constant reminder that change is the only constant.
The Gallus district itself has a rich history. It once was the Galgenfeld or gallows field. That was west of Frankfurt’s medieval city limits. Interestingly, the district’s name has nothing to do with Saint Gallus. But the name was changed in the late 18th century to improve the area’s reputation. A Roman Catholic church was built in 1905. It was dedicated to Saint Gallus.
The Gallus district is a mix of industry, trade, and transport. The Frankfurt Central Station is also in Gallus. It is the largest German railway hub. The Europaviertel is one of Frankfurt’s largest construction projects. It is on the site of the former main freight station.
Around 1900, the new development west of Galluswarte was nicknamed “Kamerun”. One theory suggests that French occupation soldiers guarded the Mainzer Landstrasse after World War I. People going to these border crossings were said to be going “to the Kameruners”. Another theory says that soot from factories covered the district. So it was “black as Cameroon”. Others believed the area was as remote as the German colony of Cameroon.
The Gustavsburgplatz is a reminder of the ever-changing nature of our surroundings. It represents the Gallus district’s ongoing evolution. The Living Stone embodies this spirit. It serves as a canvas for young artists and a symbol of transformation. As you leave Gustavsburgplatz, consider the words etched in stone. Remember that nothing ever stays the same.