Kallendresser

The cheeky, blunt, and direct nature of the Cologne mentality is reflected not only in the city's breweries but also in its numerous cheeky and sometimes quite irritating sculptures. The Kallendresser is among its most famous and sits high above the Alter Markt, house no. 24.

The motif is old and dates back to the Middle Ages, while the copper sculpture is comparatively young: created in 1957 by the sculptor Ewald Mataré on behalf of the Cologne architect Jupp Engels, as a successor work to a small historical relief that once adorned house no. 40. Thanks to Jupp Engels' preservation of traditions, the Kallendresser became one of Cologne's quirkiest figures.

Name and Meaning: Three Approaches

Etymologically, the term Kallendresser combines "Kall" = gutter and "Dress" or "Driss" = for feces – derived from the ancient Germanic "dritz" = need for relief – which means something like gutter defecator. While there is no doubt about the meaning of the name, the question of the significance of the figure is somewhat more challenging. Basically, three explanations circulate in Cologne and its folklore research: criticism of the authorities, a symbol of human inadequacy, or an embodiment of Rhenish carefree attitude.

Several origin legends have arisen around the Kallendresser, such as that of the tailor who made it very clear to his neighbor what he thought of his tuba playing and wanted to quieten him with an unequivocal gesture. Or the legend of the Kallendresser's creation as a reaction of Cologne citizens after an abbot handed over a pursued person to the city despite the sanctuary immunity of Groß St. Martin. Or that of a roofer who relieved himself in the gutter because he was too lazy to go down the many stairs to the outhouse in the yard.

The Kallendresser is often seen as general rebelliousness of citizens against authority. He just "shits" on everything: the Alter Markt, the town hall, Cologne's sleaze, the authorities, and whatever else "stinks" to him.

The Kallendresser: in good company...

There are several figures with disrespectful and mischievous gestures in Cologne – including those that stick out bare behinds at viewers. You only need to head toward the Historical Town Hall: among the 124 figures, you will also find cheeky or even obscene motifs. Notably, there's the Platzjabbeck, who sticks out his tongue at you every full hour. Under Katharina Henot, a known victim of the Cologne witch trials, you will find a figure console with bare behinds, as well as under the sculptures of Gottfried von Hagen and Konrad von Hochstaden, the latter known as the irritating autofellatio figure.

A figure by Ewald Wilhelm Hubert Mataré and herbal schnapps

The Kallendresser is one of about 600 plastic works by the German sculptor, medallist, graphic artist, and painter Ewald Mataré, one of the most esteemed sculptors of the post-war period, temporarily a professor at the Düsseldorf Art Academy and teacher of Joseph Beuys. His most famous works in Cologne include the new bronze doors for the south transept of the Cologne Cathedral. And while you're on the cathedral square, take a look at Mataré's Dove Fountain as well.

That the Kallendresser is different from other figures in the Cologne city area, you can also learn with other senses: with the Kallendresser from Hellers Brauhaus, an herbal liqueur – said by the manufacturer to be equally incomparable.