Schillerbrunnen

Gazing at the Schillerbrunnen, can you hear the faint echo of Schiller’s verses? Here in Essen’s Stadtwald, the Schillerbrunnen stands as a testament to the enduring power of literature. This fountain, erected in 1905, commemorates the 100th anniversary of Friedrich Schiller’s death. It’s among the oldest preserved free-standing fountains in Essen. The Schillerbrunnen isn’t just a fountain; it’s a story in stone. A curved stone bench embraces the fountain basin. The fountain’s back wall features a centrally placed head in bas-relief, serving as a waterspout. Two additional reliefs frame the head, depicting scenes from Schiller’s poem “The Song of the Bell” and his play “William Tell”. Originally, bronze reliefs adorned the fountain. These were created by the Munich sculptor Fritz Behn and donated by Essen’s theater director, Hans Gelling. Sadly, these bronze pieces were melted down during the Nazi era and later replaced with concrete casts. The Schillerbrunnen is nestled within a grove of linden trees, the Schillerhain, planted when the fountain was first built. The surrounding area has changed dramatically over the years. The fountain, initially built at street level, now sits peacefully within the woods after the Wittenbergstraße was raised. The citizens of Rellinghausen, recognizing the fountain’s importance, supported its recent restoration by installing a new information panel. The restoration work, costing around 33,000 euros, included renewing the fountain’s surroundings and installing a historical bench and a new waste bin. This project was financed by Grün und Gruga and the Foundation for the Beautification of Essen. The Schillerbrunnen is more than just a monument. It’s a place for quiet reflection, a tribute to a literary giant, and a testament to the enduring spirit of Essen.