Columbarium, Heritage monument tower in Cochem, Germany.
The Columbarium in Cochem is a three-story tower built from Greywacke stone with a natural slate roof. A gilded metal hand sits atop the structure as a distinctive crowning feature.
Carl Joseph Friedrichs, an entrepreneur, had the tower built between 1889 and 1890 after returning from the Montana Gold Rush with newfound wealth. The structure emerged as a personal monument from someone who had achieved considerable prosperity.
The building takes its name from the concept of a funerary tower, though it was never actually built for that purpose. Today it stands as an unusual monument in town, drawing attention from visitors curious about unconventional structures.
The tower is located at Oberer Weg 9 in Cochem and is easy to spot from the street. The structure underwent full restoration in 2019, including a complete roof replacement that preserved its historical shape.
A life-size marble statue of Christ was unexpectedly discovered inside the tower in 1928, surprising those who found it. The statue was later moved to the War Memorial Chapel at St. Remaclus Church, where it remains on display today.
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