Roman, Historic site and obelisk in Domplatz, Erfurt, Germany.
The Erthal Monument stands on Domplatz as a slender obelisk made of fine sandstone with a solid granite base. The four sides of the base display embossed portraits and coat of arms, while the obelisk itself tapers to a point at the top.
The obelisk was erected in 1777 to commemorate the first visit of Archbishop Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal to Erfurt. This bishop was then the ruler of the city and held power there for a full century.
The monument honors a prince-bishop who governed and shaped Erfurt for many years. The carved inscriptions on it tell the story of his major roles and decisions for the city.
The monument sits in the center of Domplatz and is easily reached on foot from the old town. The area is well paved and offers several viewpoints to observe the details of the obelisk and its base.
The obelisk was damaged multiple times by lightning strikes and weathering, requiring significant repairs over the years. Major restoration work in the early 2000s secured the stability of the entire structure.
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