Schoppenstecher Statue, Mainz

The Schoppenstecher Statue, located on the edge of Schillerplatz in Mainz, stands between the Schönborner Hof and the Proviant-Magazin, within what was once the garden of the Schönborner Hof. This statue embodies the lively and humorous spirit of the “Meenzer,” a colloquial term for residents of Mainz, especially those fond of wine. The name “Schoppenstecher” is derived from two German words: “Schoppen,” referring to a traditional vessel for liquids (later a measure for drinks), and “stechen,” meaning to enjoy wine regularly.

In Mainz, a “Schoppenstecher” refers to a dedicated wine drinker, one who spends evenings in the local taverns with their nose buried in a typical cylindrical Mainz wine glass, known as the "Mainz stick." This statue, created by Heinz Schaubach, a porcelain manufacturer and member of the Honorable Mainz Wine Guild of 1443, was donated to the city for its 2000th anniversary in 1962. In his right hand, the figure holds this very glass, symbolizing not only a love of wine but also the joie de vivre and humor of the people of Mainz.

The Schoppenstecher also represents the rich cultural heritage of Mainz, combining influences from Gauls, Romans, Rhine-Franconians, Alemannics, Huguenots, and Jewish communities, as described by Carl Zuckmayer’s “Völkermühle on the Rhine.” In addition to its significance in Mainz’s history, the statue also appears in the city's Christmas market pyramid as a symbol of Mainz's wine culture.