Weserliedanlage

The Weserliedanlage is located on the slope of the Questenberg. This monument is intended to honour the creators of the well-known Weser Song, the poet Franz von Dingelstedt (song text from 1835) and the composer Gustav Pressel (setting in 1845). The two bronze reliefs (design and casting, 1914) were created by the sculptor, painter and poet Prof. Gustav Eberlein.

Both portrait heads are framed by a large colourful wreath of leaves - half laurel, half oak. In the case of Franz von Dingelstedt, Eberlein has interwoven some roses at the bottom of the oak wreath because the Weser Song is a love song. Prof. Eberlein had already presented the first suggestions for a tribute to the two creators of the Weser Song to the town of Münden in 1905. With these works, he once again demonstrated his love of his homeland.

The first foundation stones were laid in 1914, but due to the outbreak of war and the subsequent lack of money, planning took almost 25 years. On 24 August 1931, the roundel with the erected monument made of beige sandstone - according to a new architectural design - could be inaugurated. The bronze portraits were originally intended to be placed in correspondence; they are now arranged so that their faces are turned away from each other. There is a reference to the architect Friedrich Grosch in the outer wall. His design was executed under the direction of August Reich.

From up here, you have a magnificent view of the core town of Hann. Münden and the confluence of the Werra and Fulda rivers to form the Weser.

Weser Song:

Here I have sat many a dear time
with my lute,
Looking down into the wide valley
Forgetting myself and the world.

And around me, it sounded so joyful and noble
and above me, it was so bright
and below roared the distant weir
and the Weser's flashing wave.

Like a loving song from a beloved mouth,
it whispers through the trees
and from the valley's open bottom
nodding dreams greeted me.

And around me, it sounded so glad and high
and above me, it was so bright
and below roared the distant weir
And the Weser's flashing wave.

There I sit again and peer around
and listen up and down,
The fair voices roar no more,
The dreams do not return.

The sweet images, how far, how far!
How heavy the sky, how dim!
Farewell, farewell, blissful time!
Farewell, your dream of love.