Alfred Krupp monument, Essen

The Alfred Krupp monument is a bronze statue standing 2.6 meters tall on a stone base near the Market Church in central Essen. The sculpture depicts the industrial leader in riding clothes and occupies a prominent spot in the city center that visitors can easily access.

Essen's city council decided to build the monument just three weeks after Krupp's death, unveiling it on July 14, 1889. The work was moved several times over the decades before returning to its original location in 2006.

The monument reflects how one industrial family shaped Essen's identity and economic life over generations. It stands as a reminder of the city's transformation from a small town into a major manufacturing center.

The monument is within walking distance of the Market Church in the city center, making it easy to find and visit. It works well to explore it as part of a broader walk through Essen's downtown area.

The statue survived the heavy bombing of Essen during World War II largely undamaged, even as many nearby buildings were destroyed. This makes it a rare surviving artwork from before the war in this heavily damaged city.