Remember Johann Wilhelm Kaesen as we admire this bust. This bust is more than bronze. It is a symbol of a man’s vision and a city’s gratitude.
This is the Wilhelm Kaesen Bust. It honors the man who made the Volksgarten possible. Johann Wilhelm Kaesen was a merchant and city councilor born in 1816. He wanted to create something lasting for Cologne.
At that time Cologne was surrounded by old city walls and fortifications. Kaesen began buying land near Fort IV piece by piece. Eventually, he acquired about 15 hectares made of sixty individual properties.
The purchase cost him over half a million Marks. Kaesen then sold the entire area to the city of Cologne for the same price. But he set one condition. The city must create a large park for the public. This park should be for everyone not just the rich.
Sadly, Johann Wilhelm Kaesen did not live to see the Volksgarten’s completion. Construction began in 1887 the year he died. The park opened in 1889.
To honor Kaesen, the city commissioned a bust. Cologne sculptor Anton Werres created it. Werres was a student of Peter Joseph Imhoff. The Wilhelm Kaesen Bust was unveiled on March 12, 1892.
During World War II, the original Wilhelm Kaesen Bust disappeared. It was likely melted down for metal or simply stolen. The park remained without Kaesen’s likeness until 2002.
A Cologne foundation initiated the creation of a new bust of Johann Wilhelm Kaesen. In 2002, the new bust was placed on its original pedestal in the park. Sculptor Akos Sziraki was responsible for the work. He based his design on historical photos giving him artistic freedom.
After about 55 years, Wilhelm Kaesen could once again look upon his Volksgarten. This Wilhelm Kaesen Bust reminds us of his generosity. He gave Cologne a park for everyone. The park is sometimes called Wilhelm Kaesen Park.
So, here stands the Wilhelm Kaesen Bust, a tribute to a visionary. It’s a reminder that one person’s dream can create lasting beauty for all. Take a moment to appreciate the story behind this bust. Think about the park it represents a gift to the people of Cologne.