Munich Berliner Bär Memorial

The Berliner Bär Memorial is a bronze sculpture standing in the central reservation of the A9 motorway, created by artist Renée Sintenis. The work marks the precise location where the distance to Berlin reaches exactly 500 kilometers.

The sculpture was created in 1962 by artist Renée Sintenis and installed on June 6 of that year. It emerged during the postwar period, when symbolic connections between the divided German cities held particular significance.

The bear is Berlin's heraldic symbol and stands here as an artistic link between two major German cities. Visitors passing this spot encounter a symbol that connects both metropolises through shared cultural identity.

The sculpture sits on the A9 motorway and is primarily visible to drivers traveling along this route. Access is limited for pedestrians since it occupies a central reservation area of an active highway.

The sculpture marks not only a symbolic connection between two cities but also a mathematical point calculated with great precision. This combination of art and geographical accuracy makes the work an unusual form of public monument.

Location: Munich

Inception: 1962

Creator: Renée Sintenis

Official opening: June 6, 1962

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 48.20381,11.62061

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:54