The marble statue of Gerhard von Scharnhorst was removed in 2021. Decades of weather had softened its features, demanding a replica to preserve the figure of the Prussian reformer. The monument is considered a masterpiece of the Berlin school of sculpture.
Christian Daniel Rauch created the monument from 1819 to 1822. He chose a neoclassical style to honor Scharnhorst, a man whose life spanned from 1755 to 1813. As a military reformer and freedom fighter, Scharnhorst remains a central figure in Prussian history.
The statue's placement has shifted with the changing tides of the city. Until 1951, it stood to the right of the Neue Wache, joined with it in an urban ensemble. Since 1963, it has sat opposite the gate.
Today, the memorial remains a landmark on Unter den Linden. While the new replica will soon take its place, the city is currently discussing whether to return the memorial to its original position beside the Neue Wache.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Aurora
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