Rebuilt between 2004 and 2008, the Quadriga at the Welfenschloss (Guelph Palace) was inaugurated and handed over to the citizens of Brunswick today as part of an official ceremonial act. Since October 23, 2008 the famous Quadriga featuring the Brunswick goddess Brunonia has again been standing majestically on top of the residential castle in Brunswick. It is regarded as Europe´s largest quadriga, larger than those on the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the Victory Gate in Munich, and bigger than the Panther Quadriga on the Semper Opera House in Dresden. A donation made by the Borek family from Brunswick and the company Richard Borek made the reconstruction of the bronze group possible. Production costs were approximately EUR 700,000.
In 2007, Brunswick Castle, residential palace of the Guelphs, was reconstructed on the basis of drafts drawn up by Carl Theodor Ottmer. Using old drawings and historical photographs, the castle was erected on its original site, and over 600 parts in their original size were used. The Quadriga, featuring Brunonia leading a chariot group mounted on a specially designed portico, is the crowning glory of the castle, which now stands just as it did in former times.
Sponsor Richard Borek has sought to reconstruct the castle since its demolition in 1960. "The Brunswick Residential Palace represents the former independence of the State of Brunswick. In our global world, it is particularly important for an economic region to maintain its regional identity and preserve its history. The numerous responses and great interest shown by people at large is proof of our success", states Mr Borek.
The Quadriga was recreated between 2004 and fall 2008. Produced near Poznan in Poland, parts for the statue arrived in Brunswick on October 14, 2008, and were then prepared for assembly in a transparent workshop on the castle site. On the evening of October 23, 2008 the Quadriga was lifted into its original place amid applause from thousands of appreciative onlookers.
"The Quadriga is probably the largest bronze cast produced during the past 50 years. It involved a laborious process, and the work of art also had to meet today´s stringent technical and structural requirements. This was uncharted territory for all those involved", confirms Mr Borek. "I´m very proud that this difficult project has been wound up successfully. I would like to thank our committed team, who worked together so well for three years and created a genuine work of art", he concludes.
Lord Mayor Dr Gert Hoffmann thanked the sponsor: "This is a special gift, not only for the city, but for the whole region; it is the crowning glory of the reconstruction of our residential palace. The Quadriga with the allegory of Brunonia will lend a unique character to Brunswick, and become a new landmark for the city way beyond the region. Therefore, Mr Borek´s family wishes to express their gratitude for the valued efforts made during the reconstruction of the Quadriga."
The night–time illumination for the Quadriga was switched on for the first time during the handing–over ceremony. Above the castle façade completely blacked out on this occasion, the "new" and, for the moment, golden Quadriga gleamed in the floodlights.
Visitor information
There are plans to allow visitors to see the Quadriga close up for a small fee as from the end of November 2008. The visiting times will be Monday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (or until dusk), and the entrance fee, which will initially be used to cover the costs for the design and technical equipment of the access area, will be EUR 2. Once the costs have been recouped, the full proceeds of the fee will go to the Palace Museum Foundation.
New Quadriga based on the original design
The Quadriga is over 9 m high, 7.5 m wide and 9.5 m long. It was cast in silicone bronze at a foundry in Komorniki, Poland, based on the original moulds of Ernst Rietschel. The famous sculptor from Dresden also designed the Goethe–Schiller memorial in Weimar and the reformation memorial in Worms, amongst others. The original design was found within the Dresden sculpture collection, in Ernst Rietschel´s sculpture legacy, and was used as the basis for the third "˜resurrection´ of this recently inaugurated work of art.
Quadrigas in Germany
There are only four quadrigas in Germany: in Berlin on the Brandenburg Gate (Victoria with a horse quadriga, by Gottfried Schadow), in Munich on the Victory Gate (Bavaria with a lion quadriga, by Friedrich Buriger et al.), in Dresden on the Semper Opera House (Bacchus and Ariadne with a panther quadriga, by Johannes Schilling), and now on Brunswick Residential Palace (Brunonia with a horse quadriga, by Ernst Rietschel).
You can find this press release, further information in German and English and up–to–date photos at www.braunschweig.de/quadriga. So far, the website has had 35,500 hits with 261.00 clicks.
Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH
Braunschweig Stadtmarketing GmbH is a wholly owned company of the city of Brunswick, employing 38 staff and operating in three business segments: communication and dialogue; tourism and conventions, and city and event management. Together with its economic, scientific and cultural partners, the firm implements marketing strategies for the city of Brunswick. Supervisory Board Chairman: Joachim Roth, CEO: Gerold Leppa
The original source–language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross–referenced with the source–language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
