Doll's Bridge (Lübeck)
The Puppenbrücke is the first stone-built bridge in the Hanseatic City of Lübeck .
history
In 1475 it was decided to further expand Lübeck's fortifications. Within six years, a wide ditch and high earth walls were built in front of the Holsten Gate . A 94 m long wooden bridge resting on 16 yokes led over this ditch , which had a four meter wide drawbridge.
Due to high maintenance costs, it had to be constantly repaired, it was completely rebuilt in 1747. However, 20 years later it was dilapidated again.
When the city builder Soherr suggested building a stone bridge, he was initially rejected because it would be twice as expensive as a wooden bridge. His argument that a wooden bridge would only last a maximum of 25 years paved the way for the stone bridge.
The bridge was planned in 1768/69. The stone blocks were bought in Reinfeld , where the old monastery was torn down, and construction of the bridge began in 1770. The moat was narrowed north of the old bridge by pouring in. The new bridge was 51 m long, had a 3 m wide drawbridge and was completed within two years.
In 1774 the council decided to do the rest and decorate the bridge with eight statues - four male and four female - and four vases. The councilor Johann Christoph Weigel was hereby commissioned to make suggestions.
The local sculptor Dietrich Jürgen Boy (or Boye) was commissioned to make the proposed figures and vases in sandstone.
This is how the new bridge was created, which was soon popularly known as the Puppet Bridge because of the sculptures on it .
Its official name was the outer Holsten Bridge .
In 1907, the new Puppenbrücke, which is known throughout the country, was built. The reason was the relocation of the station and the increasing volume of traffic. The old bridge just got too narrow. The sculpture program was completely taken over in the new arrangement.
- Doll's Bridge to Lübeck
River god (Trave)
Mercury
The peace
Unity
Roman warrior
Attention
Neptune (Baltic Sea)
freedom
All the figures had a symbolic meaning. They stand for the common attributes in the 18th century that are still understood by everyone today.
- The river god holds an oar in his hand, at his feet is the urn from which the water runs
- The concord carries a bundle of rods ( Fasces )
- Mercury wears Petasus on her head and holds a well-filled purse in her hand
- The peace was, as shown in Figure, an olive branch .
- The Roman is understood as a warrior with a lance and sword.
- The caution looks into a mirror (or by a magnifying glass)
- Neptune has the horse next to him, which for the Greeks was closely related to the sources and can therefore be seen on many pictures of Poseidon (Neptune).
- the freedom is at her sitting at the feet of Cat ( Allegory to recognize)
Although the figures are based on famous models, they are not copies. The industry and thrift, agriculture and animal husbandry, science and arts, patriotism and patriotism are represented by the four vases.
The vases bear the implied representation of Marcus Curtius , agriculture , diligence and thrift as well as the liberal arts . One of the vases bears the inscription: Posteritati MDCCLXXVI.
One interpretation of the Roman is the allusion to the quality of Lübeck as a free city of the then Holy Roman Empire ; it is more likely to serve as a symbol of civic virtues.
The bridge was completed in October 1908. Four reliefs were created by the Berlin sculptor Taschner for the arched gussets on the outside of the bridge. They represent the four elements - fire and water on the south side, air and earth on the north side of the bridge. In the center of gravity of the masonry, they are positioned in such a way that they sit well in the surface when viewed from a distance and at the same time placed in such a way that anyone passing through the towpath under the bridge can view them in detail.
Their scale is also based on this. So you can see the large middle head from a distance, while the small secondary characters are intended for a close-up view. The main characterizes the element, see also the four-element doctrine , the minor characters riding on animals echo the small putti of Statius von Düren . This created a connection to the old art of those standing on the bridge.
- Water : The head is reminiscent of the head of a shipper or Aquarius in the fable. It seems to have just risen from the water and still appears dripping from the wet element. Mermaids play around his beard, a real sailor's frill. The putti riding on dolphins next to them carry shells and trident in their hands.
- Fire : A fearsome face with a flame crown on the forehead marks the effect of the element. Two devil-like figures under the head indicate the playful end of the element. Putti riding on salamanders hold torches in their hands.
- Air : A head standing with hair blowing back in the wind blows air out forcefully itself. Humanized bird figures crouch under his chin. Putti riding on eagles' heads carry windmills in their hands. A motif that is directlymodeled onthe Statius .
- Earth : Probably the most beautiful sculpture. A huge head looks out into the distance with solemn, calm dignity. The fruits of the ground are woven into his hair. We play around him with animals in the field, two squirrels that reach up to the fruits. The putti ride on lions' heads with little birds on their hands. It is as if the head was listening to the birds and yet harboring serious thoughts under its forehead.
Emanuel Geibel
Probably the most famous figure is Mercury. The latter stretches his rear part towards the west. It used to be said that this was built because he was pointing his bottom in the direction of the Danes (who came from the sea or from Holstein). The explanation that this applies to the Holsteiners is not correct . The statue is further mentioned in a poem by Emanuel Geibel which says:
| At Lübeck on the bridge there is the god Mercury. He shows an Olympic figure in all pieces . He did not know of shirts in his god's rest; therefore he turns the bare podium to all strangers . |
Whereabouts
However, the originals cannot be seen on the dolls bridge. These have been in the St. Anne's Museum since 1984 , where they are protected from the harmful effects of air pollution. The material for the statues comes from a Saxon quarry. The bridge is the main entrance to Lübeck's old town .
The copies were made with the errors. So peace lacks a branch and caution has both arms amputated.
swell
- City Papers ; Lübeck, March 20, 1903, article: Die Puppenbrücke
- City Papers ; Lübeck, June 30, 1907, No. 26, article: The outer Holsten Bridge
- Lübeck sheets ; Vol. 50, No. 43, October 25, 1908, Article: Reliefs on the Puppenbrücke
- Poem: Full and never bridges
Web links
Coordinates: 53 ° 51 ′ 58.4 " N , 10 ° 40 ′ 33.1" E