Cities
Germany Cologne Rhine-Westphalia Tourist attractions

Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia

About

Unveiled in 1878, the bronze statue was created by sculptor Gustav Blaeser and architect Hermann Otto Pflaume. It depicts the king on horseback, symbolizing leadership and civic virtue, and reflects the 19th-century tradition of commemorating rulers through grand public art. Frederick William III reigned during the Napoleonic Wars and the post-Congress of Vienna era, a time marked by cultural and economic progress. The monument’s base features allegorical figures representing justice, wisdom, and strength, reinforcing the king’s legacy as a stabilizing force in turbulent times. Positioned in one of Cologne’s busiest squares, the statue has become a familiar landmark and a focal point for historical reflection. Its enduring presence connects the city’s Prussian past with its modern identity, offering visitors a glimpse into the values and aesthetics of imperial Germany.

Cologne Germany
Equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia
Location

The equestrian monument to King Frederick William III of Prussia is located on Heumarkt square in the heart of Cologne’s old town. Unveiled in 1878, this imposing bronze statue depicts the king in full military regalia mounted on a powerful steed, symbolizing his leadership during the Napoleonic Wars and his role in the integration of the Rhineland into Prussia. The monument, created by sculptor Gustav Hermann Blaeser, stands prominently as a historic focal point amid the vibrant Heumarkt area, which is rich with historic buildings, bustling cafes, and lively event spaces. Nearby, visitors can explore the adjacent Alter Markt square featuring the Cologne City Hall and traditional breweries, as well as the scenic banks of the Rhine River and the iconic Cologne Cathedral within walking distance. Heumarkt is well served by public transport with multiple tram and bus lines stopping at the square, and Cologne Central Station is a short walk away, making the monument highly accessible.​

Museum Ludwig Museum Ludwig Museum Roman-Germanic Museum Roman-Germanic Museum Museum Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud Wallraf-Richartz Museum & Fondation Corboud Museum Schnütgen Museum Schnütgen Museum Museum Museum für Angewandte Kunst Museum für Angewandte Kunst Museum Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst Museum Domschatzkammer Domschatzkammer Museum EL-DE Haus EL-DE Haus Museum Cologne City Museum Cologne City Museum Museum Fragrance Museum Fragrance Museum Museum German Sports and Olympic Museum German Sports and Olympic Museum Museum Odysseum Odysseum Museum Cologne Carnival Museum Cologne Carnival Museum Museum Cologne Chocolate Museum Cologne Chocolate Museum Museum Puppenmuseum Puppenmuseum Museum Radio Museum Köln e.v. Radio Museum Köln e.v. Museum Kolumba Kolumba Museum Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln Medizinhistorisches Museum Köln Museum Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln Jüdisches Museum im Archäologischen Quartier Köln Museum Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum Rhenish Industrial Railway Museum Museum Rail museum Thielenbruch Rail museum Thielenbruch Museum Biermuseum Biermuseum Pub Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Museum Käthe Kollwitz Museum Käthe Kollwitz Museum Museum National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne National Socialism Documentation Center of the City of Cologne Museum SK Stiftung Kultur SK Stiftung Kultur Gallery Sammlung Zander Sammlung Zander Museum Dom Treasury Dom Treasury Museum Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe Das Museum des Schmerzes und der Liebe Museum Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus Römisch-Germanisches Museum im Belgischen Haus Museum Schauspiel Köln Schauspiel Köln Theatre Theater im Bauturm Theater im Bauturm Theatre Senftöpfchen-Theater Senftöpfchen-Theater Theatre Horizont Theater Horizont Theater Theatre Hänneschen-Theater Hänneschen-Theater Theatre Gloria-Theater Gloria-Theater Theatre Scala Theater Köln Scala Theater Köln Theatre Theater Tiefrot Theater Tiefrot Theatre Urania Theater Urania Theater Theatre Theater in der Filmdos Theater in der Filmdos Theatre Gallery Ehren Art Gallery Ehren Art Gallery 30works Galerie 30works Galerie Gallery Galerie Mensing Cologne Galerie Mensing Cologne Gallery Galerie Zander Susanne Galerie Zander Susanne Gallery Galerie Timeless Art Galerie Timeless Art Gallery Philipp Von Rosen Galerie Philipp Von Rosen Galerie Gallery Van der Grinten Galerie Van der Grinten Galerie Gallery Galerie Biesenbach Galerie Biesenbach Gallery Cologne Cathedral Cologne Cathedral Cathedral Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen Kranhäuser im Rheinauhafen Tourist attractions Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln Flora und Botanischer Garten Köln Botanical Garden Fort X Fort X Fortress Volksgarten Köln Volksgarten Köln Park Rheinpark Rheinpark Park Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald Forstbotanischer Garten und Friedenswald Botanical Garden Malakoffturm Malakoffturm Historical Landmark Römerbrunnen Römerbrunnen Tourist attractions Exhibition Tower Exhibition Tower Tourist attractions Cologne Zoo Cologne Zoo Zoo Hahnentor Hahnentor Historical Landmark Edith Stein Denkmal Edith Stein Denkmal Monument Petrusbrunnen Petrusbrunnen Historical Landmark Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park Hiroshima-Nagasaki-Park Park Friedenspark Cologne Friedenspark Cologne Park Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen Willi-Ostermann-Brunnen Tourist attractions Time Ride Time Ride Tourist attractions Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II Equestrian Statue of Kaiser Wilhelm II Statue Heinzelmännchenbrunnen Heinzelmännchenbrunnen Cultural landmark Old Market Cologne Old Market Cologne Square Römerturm Römerturm Historical Landmark Romans' Northern Gate Romans' Northern Gate Historical Landmark Rheinboulevard Rheinboulevard Observation deck Ulrepforte Ulrepforte Historical Landmark Cologne View Cologne View Tourist attractions Great St. Martin Church Great St. Martin Church Church Pegel Köln Pegel Köln Tourist attractions Bastei Köln Bastei Köln Tourist attractions Kaskaden Kaskaden Tourist attractions Basilica of St. Gereon Basilica of St. Gereon Church Hohenzollern Bridge Hohenzollern Bridge Bridge Stadtwald Stadtwald Park Schloss Arff Schloss Arff Castle Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade Trödel- und Antikmarkt an der Rheinpromenade Market Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn Flohmarkt an der Galopprennbahn Market Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt Flohmarkt & Antikmarkt Kölner Altstadt Market Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion Flohmarkt RheinEnergieStadion Market Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke Flohmarkt an der Südbrücke Market St. Maria im Kapitol St. Maria im Kapitol Church Roonstraße Synagogue Roonstraße Synagogue Synagogue Basilica of St. Kunibert Basilica of St. Kunibert Church Schmitz Column Schmitz Column Historical Landmark Jan von Werth Monument Jan von Werth Monument Monument Forstbotanischer Garten Köln Forstbotanischer Garten Köln Park Beethovenpark Beethovenpark Park