Ernst-Thälmann Memorial in Weimar

The Ernst-Thälmann Memorial in Weimar is a bronze sculpture depicting an upper body with a raised fist, positioned prominently in a city square. The sculpture was created by Dresden artist Walter Arnold and shapes the urban landscape with its powerful form.

The memorial was unveiled in 1958 and honors Ernst Thälmann, chairman of the German Communist Party who was executed at Buchenwald concentration camp in 1944. It was created during a period when the German Democratic Republic sought to commemorate major political figures through public monuments.

The sculpture depicts a worker with a raised fist and shapes the square's appearance with its powerful gesture. It reflects how the German Democratic Republic honored political figures through monumental art integrated into urban spaces.

The memorial is located on a central square in Weimar and is easily accessible from the city center. Visitors should note that the square remains accessible in various weather conditions and the surrounding area offers multiple paths for exploration.

The square housing the memorial has changed names multiple times and was renamed Buchenwaldplatz in 1991 to reference the nearby concentration camp. This renaming connected the site to a deeper historical context tied to the actual location of tragedy.

Location: Weimar

Creator: Walter Arnold

Official opening: August 17, 1958

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 50.98858,11.32582

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:28