Magdeburger Reiter, Magdeburg

Magdeburg rider - one of the first detached monumental sculptures, dated to the years 1245–1250, the oldest after the zoomorphic performance of Henryk Lva in Braunschwik in the Reich. It is created by the character of the rider and assisting him, dressed in long robes, two women.

Once a sculpture was a monument to Alter Markt in Magdeburg, standing in front of the town hall, on the site of courts, in the arms, from where the burgrave represented him by the king of Archbishop and Imperial law. Then, in the era of early Gothic, stood on a specially erected column tinted in a 1651 baroque canopy.

Discussion is a question of whom the monument presents. In general opinion, Magdeburg's rider is the statue of Otton I. speaks the location of the monument at the headquarters of the highest administrative unit of the city and the main urban square. The character of the rider also nobilitates a crown, knight's armor. In addition, a cloaked cape, not a guardian or representative role, does not stand back to the city's ruler, and with assisting women turning to him, which he proves eloquently removed hand and open to speech. A traveling outfit and an open crown show the thought of greeting the ruler by Burggrain. This also shows: a shield with an imperial eagle kept by a woman standing on the left side of the rider and held by the other from women most likely a banner - it is possible that I relic of Saint. Maurycy - Vexilium Sanccti Mauretiensis. The figures of two women can be alloys to the legend he preached, among others OTTO and - that Magdeburg's settlement allegedly founded Juliusz Caesar and raised the Temple of Diana - the goddess of the virgins, which were presented next to the ruler.

From the artistic side, the influence of Bamberski rider is clearly visible. Creating a Magdeburg monument, the artist clearly strived to see the viewer from below. He headed toward Realism, which was achieved in the Great Team of Founders' statues in the Cathedral of Naumburg.

Due to the priceless value, the monument was moved to Magdeburg Kulturhistorisches Museum. In an ancient place there is a faithful copy made in 1966, the author of which is Heinrich Apel.