On a small hill, the Scheffeldenkmal beckons. Eight broad steps lead you up from Bismarckstraße. This isn’t just a statue. It’s a tribute to Karlsruhe’s own literary son, Joseph Victor von Scheffel. The Scheffeldenkmal was unveiled on November 19, 1892. The sculptor Hermann Volz captured Scheffel’s likeness in bronze. The monument originally possessed more adornments. Two bronze reliefs graced its sides. A majestic muse figure stood at its base. World War II brought change. The bronze was deemed necessary for the war effort. The reliefs and muse were melted down. Only the bust of Scheffel remained. Decades later, the city rediscovered the missing pieces. Plaster casts of the reliefs, depicting scenes from Scheffel’s novel “Ekkehard,” were found in the Stadtmuseum. New bronze casts were created. The Scheffeldenkmal was once again complete. The reliefs now flank the bust, restoring the monument to its former glory. Scheffel’s house, where he lived and died, is nearby on Stephanienstraße. The Scheffeldenkmal serves as a constant reminder of his contribution to German literature. His words continue to inspire generations. His legacy lives on in the heart of Karlsruhe.
Fraunhofer-Institut für Chemische Technologie
Established in 1959 as the “Institute for Chemistry of Propellants,” the Fraunhofer-Institut für Chemische Technologie (Fraunhofer ICT) has a captivating