“He defended our city against Wallenstein himself” I hear someone whisper. The Lambert-Steinwich-Denkmal stands before us a testament to bravery. This statue on the Wulflamufer commemorates Lambert Steinwich. He was Stralsund’s mayor. He played a crucial role in defending the city during Wallenstein’s siege.
The monument itself is quite striking. It’s a statue of Mayor Steinwich. He stands tall on a stone pedestal. A plaque bears the inscription in capital letters. It reads: MAYOR LAMBERT STEINWICH IN MEMORY OF THE GLORIOUS DEFENSE OF STRALSUND AGAINST WALLENSTEIN IN THE YEAR 1628.
Wilhelm Jacobi the sculptor created this impressive piece. It wasn’t always here though. Initially it was intended for a bastion near the Knieper Gate. However that plan was abandoned. The monument was inaugurated on July 25 1904. It stood then in the Old Market. It stood there at the corner of Semlower Street.
In 1937 things changed dramatically. The Stralsund citizenry decided to remove it. This decision was made on June 22 1937. The reasoning was that the monument clashed with the Old Market’s architectural style. The market needed space. It needed space for parking and public gatherings. On May 19 1938 the monument found a new home. It was placed on a new pedestal. It’s now in the so-called Mayor’s Quarter. It sits near the Frankenteich.
Discussions about returning the monument to the Old Market have surfaced repeatedly. However this has never materialized. Lambert Steinwich’s legacy though remains firmly etched in Stralsund’s history. This remarkable monument serves as a powerful symbol. It symbolizes courage resilience and the enduring spirit of a city under siege. The monument reminds us of a pivotal moment in Stralsund’s past. It reminds us of the city’s successful defense against overwhelming odds.