Turm der Vögel Sculpture

From a jumble of stone, three birds take flight. They don’t soar in the sky above us, but here, frozen in time in the Turm der Vögel sculpture. The Turm der Vögel, which translates to “Tower of Birds”, isn’t your typical bird tower. It’s not a place for birdwatching or a structure for birds to nest. Instead, it’s a unique stone sculpture created by the artists Pierre Schumann and Johannes Ufer in 1975. This abstract work stands proudly near the entrance of the Hans-Schmidt-Haus, a diaconal care center here in Hamburg-Marmstorf. The Hans-Schmidt-Haus was built in 1976, just a year after the Turm der Vögel was completed. It was named after the architect who designed the Auferstehungsgemeinde Marmstorf church, which predates the care center. The sculpture is situated at Ernst-Bergeest-Weg 63, just behind a supermarket. The three birds, highly stylized and almost geometric, are stacked atop one another, forming a tower. They represent a connection, a reaching upwards, perhaps a symbol of the care and support provided within the Hans-Schmidt-Haus. The Turm der Vögel was likely purchased during the construction of the care center. The center was initially run by the local community. Then in 1983, the Diakonie, a social welfare organization, took over its management. So, as you admire the Turm der Vögel, consider its unique setting. It stands as a testament to art’s ability to enhance even the most everyday spaces, adding a touch of the abstract to the practical.