Tauzieher, Bronze statue in Rheinauhafen, Cologne, Germany
Tauzieher is a bronze figure of a man securing a thick rope to a bollard. Standing approximately 6.5 meters tall on a raised base, it captures the muscular build and focused effort of a dock worker.
Sculptor Nikolaus Friedrich created this work in 1911 as Cologne's first free-standing public sculpture. The monument later gained protected status, reflecting the city's recognition of its workers' importance to its past.
The figure shows the physical strength of harbor workers who were vital to Cologne's life. It serves as a reminder of the hard labor that once defined the port's character.
The harbor is easily accessible by public transportation, and the raised base ensures clear views from multiple angles. Visit during daylight to see the bronze details most clearly.
The figure received protected monument status in 1980, making it among Cologne's first officially safeguarded works. This early recognition shows how the working world was valued as part of the city's identity.
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