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The mysterious Moai statue: A piece of Easter Island in Stuttgart!
Discover Santiago de Chile Square in Degerloch: a connection between Stuttgart and Chile with fascinating sculptures and views.
The mysterious Moai statue: A piece of Easter Island in Stuttgart!
The charming Degerloch is located on the northern edge of the Stuttgart district Santiago de Chile Square, which is known not only for its impressive views of the city center, but also for its unique Moai sculpture. This extraordinary statue, made from red sandstone from Easter Island, has stood there since the square was inaugurated in 2006. It was commissioned on the initiative of Georg Kieferle, the former honorary consul of the Republic of Chile.
During a trip to Easter Island, Kieferle had the idea to create this sculpture to honor the cultural connections between Germany and Chile. The Moai originally come from the Rapa Nui culture, and on Easter Island itself these impressive figures can reach up to twelve meters high, while the Stuttgart version measures around two meters and is made entirely of volcanic tuff.
The place and its meaning
Santiago de Chile Square, which is best reached by the “Zacke” cog railway or subway, not only offers a beautiful view of Stuttgart. It is also a small park with green areas, flowerbeds, steps and benches that attracts both Stuttgart residents and tourists. The Moai sculpture is complemented by a Bust of the Chilean Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral, which is also on the pitch. Mistral was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1945, and her statue was donated by the Embassy of Chile in 2014.
An inscription on Mistral's statue reads: "LIFE IS GOLD AND CORN-SWEET HATE IS LOVE LIMITLESS". Interestingly, there is also a memorial stone at the square from the Maipo Valley in Chile, which comes from the Cajón del Maipo. The square was opened on the occasion of the visit of Dr. Michele Bachelet, President of the Republic of Chile, inaugurated.
Heritage and destruction
A painful turning point in the history of the Stuttgart Moai sculpture occurred in the summer of 2007 when the statue was damaged and torn from its anchoring. The perpetrators were never caught, but the statue was professionally restored and has since been spared from further attacks. The significant symbolic depth that this work of art embodies will therefore continue to be preserved.
In summary, it can be said that the Santiago de Chile Square in Stuttgart is not only a place for relaxation and cultural exchange, but also a memorial for the friendship between Germany and Chile. The Moai sculpture forms the heart of this special place that unites the history and heritage of two nations.