‘Die Räuberköpfe’ (‘The Robbers’ Heads’)

Real background of these carvings is less vivid. Likely made around 1590, they portray Hannibal and Scipio Africanus, renowned generals from the battle in between old Rome and Carthage. As soon as typical on noble structures in Germany, such medallions are now rare. When one wing fell down in 1668, these were initially component of Kiel Castle and were recovered.

One version of the tale recounts that after the robbers were beheaded in a Kiel field, their remains amazingly transformed to rock and showed as a caution. One more tale tells of a fortress outside community where the criminals concealed up until it was overrun, and both fulfilled their end by implementation.

The stone heads are easily accessible whatsoever hours on the exterior block wall of the Gemeinde Liebfrauen (Church of Our Woman), facing the hectic roadway Theodor-Heuss-Ring. Several buses stop close by, and street vehicle parking is readily available if you’re driving. For those on foot, it has to do with a 35-minute stroll from central Kiel.

On an exterior wall surface of a convent in Kiel, northern Germany, 2 rock medallions referred to as Die Räuberköpfe (“The Burglars’ Heads”) show sculpted portraits that regional lore web links to two infamous highwaymen, Kruse and Rott.

The timing and circumstances of just how these medallions ended up on the convent’s facade are uncertain, but already, their real identifications as grand army leaders– not usual wrongdoers– were most likely identified.