Bust of Carl Legien

This memorial is a bust made from artificial stone and marble, located on Legiendamm street in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district. The sculpture depicts Carl Legien, a key figure in the German labor movement, with carefully rendered facial features.

The memorial was created in 1959 by artist Karl Trumpf to honor the labor movement. It was modified several times, relocated during the decades of division, and received a new stone version in 2013.

The inscription honors Carl Legien's contributions to labor organization and collective bargaining in Germany. Visitors can experience a piece of working-class history that remains visible in the everyday streetscape of this neighborhood.

The bust is easily accessible on the street at a major intersection in Kreuzberg. Visiting early in the day offers better lighting and allows you to view the monument during the quieter hours of this busy neighborhood.

In 2013, sculptor Ute Hoffritz created an entirely new stone version of the earlier memorial. This reimagined version shows how a historical monument can gain fresh relevance through artistic intervention.

Location: Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg

Inception: 1959

Creator: Karl Trumpf

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Made from material: artificial stone, marble

GPS coordinates: 52.50352,13.41654

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:00