Erlkönig, Cultural heritage monument in Tümplingpark, Jena, Germany
The Erlkönig in Jena is a monument featuring a stone figure of an old man with a long beard, flowing robes, and a laurel wreath. The sculpture sits along the Saale bike trail near Kunitz and has an informational plaque installed in 2012 that tells visitors about it.
The original wooden sculpture by Theodor Wolff from 1877 was replaced with a stone figure created by Wilhelm Otto Späte between 1893 and 1895. This change happened in the late 1800s as the monument evolved over time.
The monument shows the supernatural character from Goethe's ballad, touching on themes of nature and mortality in German literature. The figure by the path reminds visitors of this classic poetic story that runs deep in German culture.
The monument is easy to reach since it sits right on the popular Saale bike trail and is accessible by bicycle. The informational plaque at the site gives visitors the details they need without requiring any preparation beforehand.
Local stories link the location to Goethe's inspiration, claiming the poet learned the tale from a farmer at the nearby Grüne Tanne inn. This connection between the monument and Goethe's personal experience makes it especially meaningful for those interested in German literature.
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