In the center of the Alter Markt, the biggest square in Cologne’s old town, stands a fountain with a statue of Jan von Werth that dates to 1884.
In the well-known story of Jan and Griet, the young Griet rejects the servant wooing her as a bad match. The latter then goes off to the Thirty Years' War and becomes a successful equestrian general. On his return to Cologne, he marches triumphantly and cheers through the Severinstor, where he sees his former great love, Griet, on the market. He takes off his hat and says, "Griet, who would have anybody!" (Griet, who would have done it) and she answered him, "Jan, who would have jewossed!" (Jan, who could have known). But he gets on his horse and rides on.
In the well-known story of Jan and Griet, the young Griet rejects the servant wooing her as a bad match. The latter then goes off to the Thirty Years' War and becomes a successful equestrian general. On his return to Cologne, he marches triumphantly and cheers through the Severinstor, where he sees his former great love, Griet, on the market. He takes off his hat and says, "Griet, who would have anybody!" (Griet, who would have done it) and she answered him, "Jan, who would have jewossed!" (Jan, who could have known). But he gets on his horse and rides on.
Info
General Information
Bus stop available
Eligibility
for Groups
for Class
for families
for individual guests
Directions
The walk from the stop Rathaus (Tram: 5) to the Jan von Werth Monument takes about 2 minutes.
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