Hanau in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe

„Männchen mit den großen Ohren“
⎯⎯⎯
“Little Man with the Big Ears”

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024

1. „Männchen mit den großen Ohren“ / “Little Man with the Big Ears” Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Die Steinmetzarbeit zierte den unteren Ansatz der Stütze des gotischen Erkers des wohl zweiten Rathauses am Altstädter Markt / Metzgerstraße (erbaut 1484). Ursprünglich bunt bemalt, trägt die männliche Halbfigur aus Sandstein einen gegürteten Rock, der Kopf hat übergroße Ohren, die Finger der rechten Hand sind zum Mund geführt. Die ironisierende Symbolik will besagen: Hier muss man viel hören und wenig reden oder lieber erst zuhören, sich eine Meinung bilden und dann reden. Das Gebäude Altstädter Markt 1 wurde wie die gesamte Hanauer Innenstadt kurz vor Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges durch einen alliierten Luftangriff am 19. März 1945 zerstört. Die originale Figur konnte aus dem Trümmerschutt geborgen werden und befindet sich heute im Historischen Museum Hanau Schloss Philippsruhe.

(English translation:)
The stonemasonry adorned the lower part of the support of the Gothic bay window of what was probably the second town hall on Altstädter Markt / Metzgerstraße (built in 1484). Originally brightly painted, the male half-figure made of sandstone wears a belted coat, the head has oversized ears, the fingers of the right hand are brought to the mouth. The ironic symbolism is intended to say: Here you have to listen a lot and speak little, or rather listen first, form

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an opinion and then speak. The building at Altstädter Markt 1, like the entire Hanau city center, was destroyed shortly before the end of the Second World War by an Allied air raid on March 19, 1945. The original figure was recovered from the rubble and is now in the Historical Museum Hanau Schloss Philippsruhe. Gestiftet 2020 von der Baugesellschaft Hanau GmbH Abbildungen 1939/1941: Medienzentrum Hanau/Bildarchiv

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is March 19, 1945.

Location. 50° 8.196′ N, 8° 55.037′ E. Marker is in Hanau, Hessen (Hesse), in Main-Kinzig-Kreis. It is at the intersection of Metzgerstraße and Altstädter Markt, on the right when traveling west on Metzgerstraße. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Altstädter Markt 1, Hanau HE 63450, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

Central Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pranger / Pillory (within shouting distance of this marker); Altstädter Rathaus / Old Town City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Hanauer Elle und Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen / The Hanau “Foot” and Fountain of Justice (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilhelm Ziegler (within shouting distance of this marker); Firma Jean Wunderlich (within shouting distance of this marker); Stadtmauer / City Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Verlauf der Altstadtmauer / Course of the Old Town Wall

“Little Man with the Big Ears” and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024

2. “Little Man with the Big Ears” and Marker

The Little Man is visible mounted to the wall, above and to the right of the marker.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Pumpenstock / Water Pumping Station (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanau.

“Little Man with the Big Ears” Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024

3. “Little Man with the Big Ears” Marker - wider view

“Little Man with the Big Ears” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024

4. “Little Man with the Big Ears”

As noted on the marker, this is a replica, and the original is to be found in the Historical Museum Hanau Schloss Philippsruhe.

Marker photos (Little Man is visible in the rightmost photo, at the bottom) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Medienzentrum Hanau/Bildarchiv, circa 1940

5. Marker photos (Little Man is visible in the rightmost photo, at the bottom)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 114 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 2, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.

„Männchen mit den großen Ohren“⎯⎯⎯“Little Man with the Big Ears”

„Männchen mit den großen Ohren“
⎯⎯⎯
“Little Man with the Big Ears”