The original monument is located in the very center of Frankfurt am Main, in Taunusanlage Park. In 1926, the Berlin authorities announced a competition to create an unusual monument for the centenary of the death of the brilliant German composer and pianist Ludwig van Beethoven, a representative of the Viennese classical school.
The German sculptor Georg Kolbe was also invited to try his hand, but he... refused! He thought that the time allotted for the work was too short. However, later he changed his mind. While away on vacation, the sculptor became inspired by the idea and very quickly created a masterpiece. Later, he called this very monument the best of all his works.
Unfortunately, the monument was erected only after its creator's death. Work on the monument was completed before the war, in 39, but it was installed and unveiled only after it, in 1948. The sculptor died a year before that.
The immortal and unyielding bronze Beethoven, 4 meters tall, rises above the surrounding square and reminds all visitors to Frankfurt am Main of his greatness. Art connoisseurs believe that this is one of the finest monumental compositions on earth.
