Endlose Treppe

The Endlose Treppe is a granite sculpture in downtown Ludwigshafen made from nineteen steps that rise roughly ten meters high. The work features geometric forms and was constructed using North American granite as its primary material.

Swiss artist Max Bill created this sculpture in 1991 to honor the philosopher Ernst Bloch, integrating geometric abstraction into the design. The work emerged as a tribute to Bloch's thinking about hope and human possibility.

The steps embody a philosophical concept about human aspiration and progress that visitors encounter through the act of climbing. The form invites people to think about movement and purpose while engaging with the physical space.

The sculpture is located in the city center and is easily accessible on foot, allowing visitors to either climb the steps directly or view the structure from ground level. The site is open to the public and requires no special preparation for a visit.

The steps form a continuous loop that lets walkers move upward endlessly without turning around, creating an intriguing physical paradox. This design connects to Bloch's concept of an endless, unfinished future.