Goethe-Denkmal, Bronze monument at Naschmarkt, Leipzig, Germany
The Goethe Monument is a bronze statue at Naschmarkt in Leipzig showing the writer as a young student holding a book. The figure stands on a red granite pedestal directly in front of the Old Stock Exchange building, a landmark structure on the historic square.
The monument was designed by sculptor Carl Seffner in 1902 and cast by the Noack & Brückner foundry before being officially unveiled on January 17, 1903 at Naschmarkt. It was created during a period when Leipzig was honoring its role as a literary center and wanted to commemorate Goethe's formative years in the city.
The monument features medallion portraits of Friederike Oeser and Käthchen Schönkopf on its base, women who mattered to Goethe during his years here. These details tell the story of his personal connections in the city and shape how people understand this chapter of his life.
The monument sits in the middle of Naschmarkt and serves as a natural meeting point for visitors exploring Leipzig's historic center. The square is easy to reach and surrounded by cafes, shops, and other sights, making it simple to extend a brief visit into longer exploration.
The sculptor had to create Goethe's facial features using portraits from his later life, as no images from his Leipzig student years survived. This creates an interesting gap between the youthful figure shown and the older, more familiar face of the famous writer.
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