
While waiting for my connection train in Prague, my eye fell on a group of bronze statues at platform 1 of Prague Central Station. A man and two children stand next to me. What’s the story behind them? The answer is: Nicholas Winton.
You only see what you know (Goethe)

While waiting for my connection train in Prague, my eye fell on a group of bronze statues at platform 1 of Prague Central Station. A man and two children stand next to me. What’s the story behind them? The answer is: Nicholas Winton.

The Hall of Liberation (Befreiungshalle) is a Neoclassical monument on Michelsberg Hill near Kelheim. King Ludwig I of Bavaria commissioned this building to commemorate the victory over Napoleon in the German Campaign of 1813 (Befreiungskriege). [German]

Ferdinand Raimund (1790-1836) was an Austrian actor/dramatist and a master of the Viennese Posse. Watching his plays give insights into the life of the first half of the 19th century in Vienna. [German]

The monument to the Austrian writer Franz Grillparzer (1791-1872) was built in 1889 and displays scenes from his works. It is located in a public park of Vienna named Volksgarten, which is worth a visit, especially during the heyday of roses. [German]

This equestrian statue of emperor Marcus Aurelius is a replica of the one that stood on Capitols Square (Piazza del Campidoglio) in Rome. The sculpture in Tulln commemorates that a Roman camp named Comagena was the predecessor of the modern city. [German]

You find this monument of Prince Eugene Francis of Savoy–Carignano in the centre of Vienna on the Heldenplatz. Anton Dominik Fernkorn finished the equestrian statue in 1865. The pose reminds us of Prince Eugene’s role as a victorious commander.

The monument to Alexander Girardi (1850-1918) stands in the Girardipark of Vienna. Extensive traffic surrounds the white statue, so the actor and operetta singer does not have to complain about a small audience. Most people overlook the message of the sculpture, though. [German]

This monument in Cividale del Friuli reminds us of Julius Caesar, who founded the city in 50 BC. Its founding name was Forum Iulli. The name of the area of modern Friuli originates from this ancient city name. [German]

This monument commemorates Franz Wirer von Rettenbach. He is considered the founder of the first Austrian saline water health spa in Bad Ischl. I found this bust in the local spa park (Kurpark). I was pretty impressed by the extraordinary size of the sculpture. [German]

Not far from the artificial ruins in Ilmpark stands a monument to William Shakespeare. The tribute of a British poet in Weimar surprises, but there is a reason. Goethe is considered a main protagonist in the German Shakespeare reception of his time. [German]

On my urban walk through Naumburg (Saale), a monument with two sculptures attracted me. A young girl stood in front of an old man with a huge moustache. The man obviously represented Friedrich Nietzsche. [German]

This monument to Wilhelm von Tegetthoff stands next to the Praterstern railway station in Vienna. Wilhelm von Tegetthoff was an Austrian admiral who became famous for the Victory of Lissa (1866). [German]