The “Wehrhafter Schmied” monument

The Defensive Blacksmith stands in Aachen as a reminder of a legend that tells of courage and resistance. The fountain figure was designed in 1909 by sculptor Carl Burger and depicts a strong blacksmith who, according to tradition, once killed Count William IV of Jülich. It is said that he stepped out of his workshop, heard the noise of the entourage and stood protectively in front of his neighbours. The depiction combines powerful physicality with the feeling of spontaneous rebellion. Standing in front of the monument, you can feel the mixture of solemnity and tranquillity of a place that today stands in the middle of city life. The figure is a reminder of how closely craftsmanship, everyday life and history are interwoven in Aachen.