Erlach memorial, Bronze and stone monument in Grabenpromenade, Switzerland.
The Erlach memorial is a bronze equestrian statue on a stone base located on Grabenpromenade, showing a figure in military dress mounted on a horse. The base includes carved details and inscriptions that frame the composition.
The memorial was created in 1849 by sculptor Joseph Simon Volmar to honor Rudolf von Erlach, who led Swiss forces to victory in 1339. It represents an important moment when Bern began commemorating its past through public sculpture.
The mounted figure in military dress reflects how Switzerland honored its military leaders through public monuments. This statue sits in an active part of the city, showing how past victories were celebrated in Bern's public spaces.
The monument sits near the theater and is easy to reach on foot from Kornhausplatz. It is visible year-round and free to visit, making it a simple stop during a walk through the old part of the city.
This was the first public equestrian statue set up in Bern, marking a turning point in how the city honored its past. The choice to depict a mounted soldier was a new approach for the city at that time.
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