Cologne - He has long fought for it, and it will be one of his last major acts: On 8 October returns to the great joy of the Lord Mayor Fritz Schramma (CDU), the equestrian statue back to the Haymarket.
Currently stands the horse, together with Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III. Godorfer still in the harbor. A plastic cover protects horse, rider and welders from wind and weather. Among Jürgen Brandt (work 45) and Tony Schaller (19) from the firm Fox & Girke the nine-ton bronze colossus.
On 9 November 2007 was the equestrian statue of Hay in the harbor Godorfer been brought because it was regarded as no longer stable. The total rehabilitation costs for both horse and base were estimated at just under two million euros. An unworthy political debate broke out.
Under the motto "Who should pay, who has so much money?" Adopted SPD, Greens and Left Party, that the City of rehabilitation is to spend only so much money to donate, such as Citizens for the Prussian king. He should already be back on the Haymarket, the return was also by the OB, announced again and again. Now it will finally be ready to Godorf the biggest problems will be solved.
"Some welds were not dense, so that water could penetrate. The gathering in one of the feet, was in the winter to ice and eventually he blurted, "says Prof. Dr. Ing. Uwe Reisgen, head of the Institute of Welding Technology at the RWTH Aaachen. "To the lower end of the foot holes get, can run through the Kondeswasser."
100,000 euros for the rehabilitation of an equestrian statue, and a new base plate met by donations, are a further 100,000 euros to the city. The base is still totally dilapidated. But the king's return to the Haymarket nothing stands in the way ...
