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Quadrate in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany — Central Europe
 

Paradeplatz mit Grupello-Pyramide
⎯⎯⎯
Parade Square with Grupello Pyramid

 
 
Paradeplatz mit Grupello-Pyramide / Parade Square with Grupello Pyramid Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, February 20, 2024
1. Paradeplatz mit Grupello-Pyramide / Parade Square with Grupello Pyramid Marker
Inscription.  German:
Am Schnittpunkt der Achsen von Planken und Breiter Straße gelegen, bildet der Paradeplatz den Mittelpunkt der Stadt. Für Truppenaufmärsche bestens geeignet, sieht man hier im 18. Jahrhundert kurpfälzisches, im 19. Jahrhundert badisches Militär paradieren, ebenso wie Freischärler und Turnerwehren in den Revolutionsjahren 1848/49. Zeitweise dient der zentrale Platz auch als Standort für Jahrmärkte und Vergnügungsmessen. Seit 1743 schmückt die Pyramide des Bildhauers Gabriel Grupello (1644-1730) die Mitte des Platzes. Eigentlich als Brunnenmonument für Düsseldorf, die Residenz des pfälzischen Kurfürsten Johann Wilhelm (1658- 1716), entworfen, steht sie dann - mangels Wasserleitung 150 - Jahre trocken auf einem eigens angefertigten hohen Sockel. Erst bei der Umgestaltung des Platzes 1895 erhält die Pyramide eine Erweiterung durch ausladende Brunnenschalen mit Figuren aus der Werkstatt des Bildhauers Johannes Hoffart (1851-1921). Inmitten streng eingefasster, symmetrisch angelegter Blumenrabatten entsteht das repräsentative Zentrum des bürgerlichen Mannheim. © Stadtarchiv Mannheim Institut Für Stadtgeschichte

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Tafel wurde gestiftet von: GBG Mannheim

Bildunterschriften
(Foto Nr. 1) Am 7. Mai 1830 wird zum Antrittsbesuch des Landesfürsten Großherzog Leopold von Baden (1780-1852) die Grupello- Pyramide erstmals wieder in einen Brunnen verwandelt, aus dessen Röhren Wein fließt.
(Foto Nr. 2) Selbstbildnis des niederländischen Bildhauers Gabriel Grupello, des Schöpfers der Pyramide.
(Foto Nr. 3) Schrägluftbild mit Paradeplatz, Kaufhaus, Postamt, Quadraten und Schloss im Hintergrund, frühes 20. Jahrhundert.
(Foto Nr. 4) Am 27. Mai 1815 findet eine Parade bayerischer Truppen anlässlich des Geburtstags des bayerischen Königs Maximilian I. Joseph (1756-1825) statt. Er war von 1799 bis 1802/03 auch der letzte Kurfürst von der Pfalz.


English Translation:
Located at the intersection of the axes of Planken and Breiter Strasse, the parade ground is the centre of the city. Ideal for troop parades, you can see the Electorate of the Palatinate military parading here in the 18th century and the Baden military in the 19th century, as well as the irregulars and gymnastic brigades in the revolutionary years of 1848/49. The central square also serves as a location for annual markets and fun fairs from time to time. Since 1743, the pyramid by the sculptor Gabriel Grupello (1644-1730) has
The first marker on the left side of the set of markers image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, February 20, 2024
2. The first marker on the left side of the set of markers
adorned the centre of the square. Originally designed as a fountain monument for Düsseldorf, the residence of the Elector Palatine Johann Wilhelm (1658-1716), it then stood dry for 150 years on a specially made high pedestal due to a lack of water supply. It was not until the square was redesigned in 1895 that the pyramid was extended with expansive fountain bowls with figures from the workshop of the sculptor Johannes Hoffart (1851-1921). The representative center of bourgeois Mannheim was created in the midst of strictly bordered, symmetrically arranged flower beds.

This plaque was donated by: GBG Mannheim

Captions
(Photo #1) On May 7, 1830, for the inaugural visit of the sovereign, Grand Duke Leopold of Baden (1780-1852), the Grupello pyramid was transformed for the first time into a fountain, from whose pipes wine flowed.
(Photo #2) Self-portrait of the Dutch sculptor Gabriel Grupello, the creator of the pyramid.
(Photo #3) Oblique aerial photograph with parade ground, department store, post office, squares and castle in the background, early 20th century.
(Photo #4) On May 27, 1815, a parade of Bavarian troops took place on the occasion of the birthday of the Bavarian King Maximilian I. Joseph (1756-1825). He was also the last Elector of the Palatinate from 1799 to 1802/03.
The view of the Grupello Pyramid image. Click for full size.
Photographed by James Hulse, February 20, 2024
3. The view of the Grupello Pyramid

 
Erected by Stadtpunkte Mannheimer Geschichte Vor Ort and Stadt Mannheim.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1743.
 
Location. 49° 29.248′ N, 8° 27.99′ E. Marker is in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg. It is in Quadrate. It is at the intersection of Planken and Kurpfalzstraße, on the right when traveling east on Planken. The marker is located in a group of 6 markers at the north side of the Paradeplatz. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: O1 1, Mannheim BW 68161, 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: Postgeschichte im Quadrat O 2 / Postal History Square O 2 (here, next to this marker); Warenhäuser rund um den Paradeplatz / Department Stores around Paradeplatz (here, next to this marker); Paradeplatzbunker / Parade Square Bunker (here, next to this marker); „Pfälzer Hof" D 1, 5-6 (here, next to this marker); Kaufhaus - Rathaus - Stadthaus N 1 / Department Store - Town Hall - City Hall N 1 (here, next to this marker); Bierbraukunst und Wirtshäuser in P 2 / Beer Brewing and Taverns in P 2 (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Harmonie-gesellschaft / Harmony Society (about 120 meters
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away); Achenbach'sches Kaffeehaus D 2, 6 / Achenbach's Coffee House D 2, 6 (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mannheim.
 
More about this marker. There is a non-related marker separately attached on the other side of the post.
 
Also see . . .  Gabriël Grupello. Wikipedia
Gabriël Grupello (22 May 1644 – 20 June 1730) was a Flemish Baroque sculptor who produced religious and mythological sculptures, portraits and public sculptures. He worked in Flanders, France and Germany. He was a virtuoso sculptor who enjoyed the patronage of several European rulers.
(Submitted on September 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.) 
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on September 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
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Jun. 5, 2026