Esslingen: Devil's statue splits city and employs police

Devil's figure of Esslingen: First onion, then zoff

In Esslingen am Neckar the devil is literally rid of, and for days. A bronze devil figure with horns and horse foot has caused heated debates and tangible threats since its unveiling. Meanwhile, police and state protection are also involved. But in turn:

An Esslingen winery wanted to give the city a statue for its 1250th anniversary. That’s why she commissioned the artist Tim Bengel, who picked up an old Esslinger legend: The devil once wanted to buy an apple at the market, but a clever market woman instead sold him a red onion. When the devil bit into it, he cursed the Esslinges as “onions” and disappeared from the city.

The legend has also been reminiscent of a stone devil figure at the Frauenkirche in Esslingen for centuries. And for two weeks now the work of the artist Bengel: a 2.50 meter high bronze figure of the devil with extremely pointed teeth and a very long tail.

Devil's Art: Makes Many Esslingers Furious

Two weeks ago, the statue was unveiled in front of the town hall. Since then, more than 5,600 people have already signed an online petition to get rid of them. Others have gone further: The city speaks of a concrete call for murder against Mayor Matthias Klopfer (SPD) and other threats, calls for damage to property and insults. The police are, according to their own information, “a handful of cases due to threats against life and limb”. It will also be investigated for insults and damage to property, said police spokesman Michael Schaal of the police headquarters Reutlingen.

So far, there is no suspect, said Schaal. The investigations of the Esslingen Police Department and the Criminal Inspectorate of the Regional Criminal Police Directorate responsible for state protection crimes continued.

Apparently, the devil makes some Esslingers really angry. The Evangelical State Church, however, does not join the furor. From their point of view, the figure neither threatens Christian beliefs nor gives rise to fear. "You may criticize the statue for various reasons, elevate it spiritually or even be afraid of it, but you certainly do not need it," said Andreas Oelze, the commissioner of the state church.

For the city, despite all the criticism, it is clear: The controversial figure remains in place in front of the town hall. There is also a lot of praise and approval for the monument, said city spokesman Michael Meier.