Ehrenmal Oberursel
Oberursel (Taunus)

In the picturesque town of Oberursel, nestled in the scenic Taunus mountains of Hesse, Germany, stands a poignant and striking monument known as the Ehrenmal Oberursel. This memorial, an 8.85-meter-high mosaic column, was erected in 1930 to honor the 224 citizens of Oberursel who lost their lives or succumbed to the effects of World War I. Designed by the Frankfurt artist Lina von Schauroth, the Ehrenmal Oberursel is not just a testament to the past, but also a beacon of remembrance and reflection for future generations.

Location and Surroundings

The Ehrenmal Oberursel is located in the serene Rushmoor Park, adjacent to the Christuskirche, an Evangelical church inaugurated in 1914. This idyllic setting provides a tranquil backdrop for the monument, allowing visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made by the town's residents. The park, with its lush greenery and carefully designed landscape, enhances the solemnity and dignity of the memorial.

Design and Construction

The memorial was conceived by Lina von Schauroth, who envisioned a mosaic column that would stand as a symbol of honor and remembrance. The column features a depiction of Christ at its upper section, with the words In Memoriam inscribed below. Further down, the inscription reads, Den Trauernden Trost – den Toten zur Ehre – den Lebenden Mahnung – der Jugend zur Lehre, which translates to Comfort to the mourners – honor to the dead – admonition to the living – teaching to the youth.

Below this inscription, faceless soldiers in uniform are depicted, symbolizing the anonymity and universality of the soldiers' sacrifices. The column itself stands on a two-meter-high square base, adorned with mosaic stones. On three sides of the base, the names of the 224 fallen citizens are inscribed, while the front features an older version of the Oberursel city coat of arms with the years 1914–1918.

Interestingly, the column's design underwent several modifications. Initially, it was topped with a rectangular plate, which was later replaced by a 75-centimeter copper sphere at the artist's request. Although von Schauroth proposed adding an Iron Cross or a three-pronged flame to the sphere, these ideas were ultimately rejected to maintain the peaceful nature of the memorial.

A Community Effort

The creation of the Ehrenmal Oberursel was a community-driven initiative. After World War I, there was a strong desire among the townspeople to commemorate their fallen soldiers. Despite economic hardships, the community, led by former mayor Josef Füller, who had lost his only son in the war, managed to raise around 21,500 Marks through house-to-house collections and benefit events. The city contributed the land and additional funds for earthworks, enabling the project to move forward.

The construction involved local craftsmen and specialists from Frankfurt and Berlin. The mosaic work was carried out by the Berlin firm Puhl & Wagner, while the concrete shaft was constructed by Franz Hof Schornstein- und Feuerungsbau from Frankfurt. The surrounding landscape was designed by Max Bromme, the horticultural director of Frankfurt, who planted 216 hornbeams to represent the fallen soldiers and eight pyramid oaks for the officers.

Challenges and Restoration

Over the years, the Ehrenmal Oberursel faced numerous challenges. Water infiltration caused the mosaic stones to loosen, and the different thermal expansion properties of the materials led to further damage. Despite several repair attempts, the column continued to deteriorate, and in 1988, it was temporarily removed from the heritage list.

However, the community's dedication to preserving the memorial never wavered. In 2010, the monument was reinstated on the heritage list, and a citizen initiative, Rettet das Ehrenmal (Save the Memorial), was formed. This group, led by Christoph Müllerleile and supported by various patrons, successfully raised 111,000 Euros for the restoration. The restoration work, carried out by Matthias Steyer's firm, included reinforcing the column with a steel rod and filling the hollow shaft with concrete to ensure its stability.

The restored mosaic column was rededicated in a ceremony on July 23, 2014, and further work on the base was undertaken in 2017 by Klaus-Peter Dyroff from Schmiedeberg.

A Timeless Tribute

Today, the Ehrenmal Oberursel stands as a timeless tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Oberursel's citizens during World War I. It serves not only as a historical monument but also as a place of reflection and education for visitors. The memorial's inscriptions and the names of the fallen remind us of the human cost of war and the importance of remembering those who have given their lives for their country.

Visiting the Ehrenmal Oberursel is a poignant and moving experience. As you stand before the mosaic column, surrounded by the peaceful park and the names of the fallen, you are reminded of the enduring impact of history on our present and future. The monument is a powerful symbol of remembrance, resilience, and the collective memory of a community that honors its past while looking towards a hopeful future.