Fancy meeting Rübezahl here in Mittelfeld? This isn’t where you’d expect to find a mountain spirit. Let’s uncover the story of the Rübezahlbrunnen.
The Rübezahlbrunnen is more than just a fountain. It is a monument to a lost homeland. It stands as a reminder of Silesia and its displaced people.
After World War II, Hanover was devastated. Thousands of refugees arrived, seeking a new home. Many came from Silesia. The city was half-destroyed by air raids. Mittelfeld became a focal point for resettlement. The British military authorities had initiated the Exportmesse. It was near the trade fair grounds. The trade fair was first held in 1947. It was nicknamed the “Fischbrötchenmesse” due to a lack of technical products.
After the currency reform, there was enough land to build a new settlement. Around 3000 apartments were planned. The Constructa-Siedlung was built in 1951 during the Baufachmesse Constructa. It was across from the Stadtfriedhof Seelhorst.
The center of this new area was named Rübezahlplatz. It was a tribute to the Silesian homeland. The city commissioned sculptor Kurt Lehmann to create a fountain for the square. This was to be a marketplace.
In 1954, Lehmann created the Rübezahlbrunnen. It represents the Riesengebirge mountains in Silesia. The figure of the mountain spirit Rübezahl weighs 8000 kilograms. It is carved from Kirchheimer Muschelkalk. The statue is 3.20 meters tall. Water gently flows from the base. It sounds like a mountain spring.
The Rübezahlbrunnen is a protected monument. It serves as a reminder of the past. It honors the refugees who found a new home here. It is a symbol of hope and resilience. The Rübezahlbrunnen stands as a meeting point. It connects people to their heritage.
So, as you stand here, remember the story. The story of loss. The story of rebuilding. And the enduring power of memory embodied in the Rübezahlbrunnen. It is a piece of Silesia in the heart of Hanover.