Goethe–Schiller Monument

The Goethe-Schiller Monument is a bronze sculpture in Washington Park depicting two German writers. The figures stand side by side on a tall granite base inscribed with passages from their works.

The monument was erected in the early 20th century after German-American organizations raised funds to honor these two authors. It is based on an earlier artwork that was already known in German-speaking regions.

The monument depicts two figures standing together, representing the importance these authors held for German-speaking readers. Visitors can see how Milwaukee's German-descended community honored its own culture and great thinkers in this space.

The monument stands in Washington Park and is freely accessible from outside, so visitors can stop by anytime. The location is near other parks and cultural venues, making it easy to see multiple places in one visit.

An interesting detail is that this sculpture is based on the same design as an earlier artwork, from which several copies were made for different locations around the world. This makes it part of a small group of similar monuments that all share the same artistic vision.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 1908

Creator: Ernst Friedrich August Rietschel

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 43.05286,-87.97010

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:04