See 2,000 years of history unfolding on this sculptural fountain, which has 10 vivid scenes that tell the story of Koblenz from the Roman era to today.
The Historiensäule (History Column) is the central feature of a magnificent fountain in Josef-Görres-Platz. Located in Koblenz’s Altstadt (Old Town), the Historiensäule reveals the history of the surrounding cityscape over the last two millennia. It was created as a gift for the city in 1992, which marked the 2,000th anniversary of Rheinland-Pfalz’s statehood. Gaze up at the 35-foot-high (11-meter) column and discover 10 key themes in the city’s history, as depicted by sculptor Jürgen Weber.
Stroll around the city square and admire the Historiensäule against a backdrop of traditional German houses. As you draw closer, you’ll see that the enormous metal structure is split into 10 vertical segments. At the base of the Historiensäule, see a Roman fortress and a rowboat loaded with wine barrels, which symbolizes 1st-century Roman settlement in the region. Figures from the Fränkischer Königshof (Franconian courts) represent the 6th to 9th centuries, while a flaming church represents the 10th to 12th centuries and the transition from Regnum Franconum to the Electorate of Trier.
Figures on horseback and in chains symbolize the Crusades and the slave trade of the Middle Ages. Above this, a city prospers with the development of craftspeople, merchants and ecclesiastical worshippers. Try to spot the witches on the sixth level, which also represents the Thirty Years’ War. The French Revolution and wartimes around the 1800s are depicted on the seventh level. The might and grandeur of Prussian Koblenz turns into the rubble of World War II near the top of the column. At the pinnacle, you’ll see the modern interpretation of Koblenz as a future-facing city.
Learn about Koblenz’s history with the English-language interpretive panel at the base of the fountain. Take a moment to admire the sculpture in its entirety. Josef-Görres-Platz has a collection of cafés, restaurants and taverns with outdoor seating that spills into the square, so you can enjoy a meal with views of the fountain.
The Historiensäule is located on the eastern edge of Koblenz’s Altstadt (Old Town). Walk here in 15 minutes from the city’s central railway station. The square is free to visit any time of the day.
