“What lasting tribute could we create?” That’s the question former students of the Ratsfreischule asked themselves. This is the Plato-Dolz-Denkmal. It honors Karl Gottlieb Plato and Johann Christian Dolz. They were the first two directors of the Ratsfreischule. This school was Leipzig’s first tuition-free public school.
The Plato-Dolz-Denkmal stands here at the intersection of Ratsfreischulstraße and Dittrichring. This location is quite close to where the Ratsfreischule once stood. It’s a fitting tribute to their legacy.
Notice the monument’s design. A hexagonal base supports a three-sided obelisk. It’s made of red granite. A bronze section interrupts the obelisk. Medallions display portraits of Plato and Dolz. The inscription reads: “To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Ratsfreischule in Leipzig, dedicated to the first directors, Plato and Dolz, by former students.” Look closely. You’ll see laurel garlands, volutes, and cherubs. They evoke the Renaissance style. A bronze ornament crowns the obelisk. It features volutes, lion heads, and a star.
The Ratsfreischule opened in 1792. It was located on Schulgasse, now Ratsfreischulstraße. Former students wanted to honor Plato and Dolz long before the school’s centennial. Hermann Knaur, a Ratsfreischule alumnus, created portrait reliefs of the directors in 1865. The city commissioned them. They were displayed in the municipal museum.
In 1886, alumni formed a committee. They aimed to fund a monument for the school’s centennial. Architect Georg Weidenbach designed the monument using Knaur’s reliefs. The cornerstone was laid on April 22, 1892. Financial issues delayed completion. The Plato-Dolz-Denkmal was finally inaugurated on June 29, 1894. The celebration ended with a feast at the Kaufmännischen Vereins building. This building stood on the school’s former site.
Karl Gottlieb Plato led the Ratsfreischule from its founding until his death in 1833. Johann Christian Dolz, his friend and deputy for 33 years, succeeded him. Plato is buried in the Plato family plot at the Old Johannis Cemetery. Dolz was buried there after his death ten years later.
Fun fact: In 2011, the Plato-Dolz-Denkmal underwent restoration. Also interesting, in 1875, a street was named after Plato. It’s located in Leipzig’s southeastern suburb.
The Plato-Dolz-Denkmal symbolizes educational pioneers. It reminds us of Leipzig’s commitment to accessible education. It honors two men who shaped the city’s intellectual life. As you leave, remember Plato and Dolz. Remember their dedication to Leipzig’s first tuition-free school.