Pankower Drillinge Sculpture

Gazing upwards, what do you see adorning this corner of Schönhauser Straße, near the Bürgerpark entrance? Three playful cherubs, eternally captured in a joyous dance. These are the Pankower Drillinge, the “Pankow Triplets”. The Pankower Drillinge grace the top of a wall, adding a touch of whimsy to this otherwise ordinary corner. They aren’t just charming figures. They’re a piece of Pankow’s history, intertwined with the story of the park and the bridge over the Panke River. The Pankower Drillinge were created in 1925 by architect Alexander Poetschke, a former employee of the Pankow district office. Poetschke also designed the western extension of the Pankow Town Hall in 1927. The Pankower Drillinge are part of a larger neoclassical redesign of the Panke bridge and park entrance from 1923-1925. This project included the wall they stand on, the bridge itself with a pergola, and a pavilion complete with a newsstand, a wall fountain, and restrooms. These three figures, embraced by a garland of flowers, are made of cast cement. They stand on a matching cement pedestal atop the plastered corner postament of the wall. Their cheerful presence adds a playful touch to the grand neoclassical style of the surrounding architecture. The Pankower Drillinge quickly became a beloved local landmark. Interestingly, there’s no record of a specific sculptor being involved in their creation. This detail remains shrouded in mystery, lost to missing construction records. From 2010 to 2011, the entire bridge structure, a protected landmark, was carefully deconstructed and rebuilt. This was part of an EU-funded infrastructure program. During this process, the Pankower Drillinge underwent a careful restoration, ensuring their continued presence in Pankow for generations to come. So, the next time you pass by, take a moment to appreciate the Pankower Drillinge. They are more than just decorations. They represent a piece of Pankow’s past, whispering stories of a bygone era.