Heunensaeule (Heunen Columns), Mainz

The Heunen Columns (Heunensäule) are historic sandstone columns that were originally crafted for the reconstruction of the Willigis Cathedral in Mainz after it burned down in 1009. Likely completed in the 11th century in a quarry near Miltenberg, these columns were created before the cathedral project was formally planned, a move showing early business foresight. However, the columns were never used, as alternative supports were chosen for the cathedral's reconstruction.

Over time, the number of Heunen Columns dwindled. By the 18th century, only 14 remained, and by the 1960s, just eight were still standing. Today, the surviving columns are dispersed across several locations, with the most famous one standing as a monument in Mainz. Others can be found in Nuremberg, Munich, and on the waterfront in Miltenberg.

In 1975, to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Mainz Cathedral's construction, the city of Miltenberg gifted one of these impressive columns to Mainz. This column, weighing 16 tons and measuring 6.4 meters in height with a diameter of 1.2 meters, now serves as a symbol of the city. It is prominently placed in the middle of the market square, set on a bronze base created by Palatinate sculptor Gernot Rumpf. Rumpf’s design tells the story of Mainz through symbolic headgear, incorporating elements such as a Roman gladiator mask, which includes a fox representing former Mayor Jockel Fuchs. Playful details like three mice, symbolizing political factions, and a rattling Jacobin hat make this sculpture both a historic artifact and a playful homage to Mainz’s civic identity.