Riding my bike along the numerous paths through the Tiergarten today, a friend of mine showed me a spot where one can see Begas’ Bismarck monument from behind. Set back from the huge traffic circle on the Großer Stern, it sits there between trees and bushes, almost hidden from those who rush by in their cars. Since we had no particular plans we stopped our bikes and gazed at the huge monument. At first, I did not notice that the Siegessäule was right behind the statue, but my friend who had recently read an article on the various Bismarck monuments in Germany soon brought the nice view to my attention.

Interestingly, both the Siegessäule and the Bismarck monument used to stand in a different spot, vis-a-vis the Reichstag on the Königsplatz (nowadays the Platz der Republik). But Hitler deemed it necessary to make Raum in front of the Reichstag and therefore both monuments were relocated. Trying to recall the details of the relocation and the addition of a fourth level to the pillar, I took a picture of the uneven couple. What strikes me now is that Bismarck is clearly looking away from Victoria, the golden figure on top of the column. It makes me wonder whether he had always averted his eyes from her, even when they were still standing near the Reichstag, before Hitler delegated them into the Tiergarten. When did Bismarck turn his head?