Hutten - Sickingen - Monument - Fight for the Reformation in Germany
Below the castle, accessible via a stairway, is an impressive bronze sculpture. Designed by Carl Cauer and completed by Ludwig Cauer in 1888, the group of figures depicts two historical figures who made Ebernburg Castle a focal point of history for a few years. After many successful years, the knight Franz von Sickingen declared war on the powerful electors and princes of his neighborhood and was defeated. His castles were destroyed, and he himself died in 1523. At times, he took in former followers of Luther and the fierce enemy of the papal church, the poet Ulrich von Hutten, at the castle and granted them protection. On the monument, the poet, celebrated at the time, points the way with a scroll, while the knight draws his sword. The monument celebrates this – failed – alliance of sword and pen at a time when the Prussian monarchy was itself in a state of constant conflict with the Roman Catholic Church and was attempting to break its power in the Kingdom of Prussia.
