Jan-Wellem-Reiterstandbild, Bronze equestrian statue at Marktplatz square, Düsseldorf, Germany
The Jan-Wellem-Reiterstandbild is a bronze equestrian statue on Düsseldorf's Marktplatz that depicts a ruler in ceremonial dress holding a marshal's staff. The monument is surrounded by a protective fence with gilded tips that defines its appearance.
A Flemish sculptor created this bronze monument between 1703 and 1711, drawing inspiration from the famous Marcus Aurelius statue on Rome's Capitol. The work was made during a time when such monumental equestrian monuments displayed the power of European rulers.
The statue honors a ruler who made Düsseldorf into an art center and founded one of the first public galleries in the city. Visitors see in this location a symbol of the cultural importance the city held in Europe at that time.
The statue stands freely on the Marktplatz and is accessible from all sides, making it easy for visitors to explore from different angles. Note that the protective fence is temporarily removed during the annual carnival celebrations when the square is opened for festivities.
During World War II, the statue was moved to a mountain tunnel outside the city to protect it from bombing raids. This measure saved the work from destruction that affected many other urban monuments.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
