Jan von Werth Monument

When the manosphere on YouTube and similar platforms warns young men about the pitfalls of female hypergamy as part of contemporary criticism of feminism, aiming to prevent every young guy from having his heart broken in the early tender years of a budding romance, it taps into an ancient, almost archetypal theme: "Jan and Griet." For Griet, Jan wasn't a good match due to his lack of social standing. But as fate would have it, Jan later returned triumphantly with a story in tow that can be seen as a Cologne variation of the classic rags-to-riches narrative.

That's the story surrounding the Jan von Werth Monument with a fountain, located just a few minutes' walk from the cathedral at Alter Markt in Cologne's old town, where you can always find a nice spot to rest when the weather is good.

Obelisk fountain with basin, steps, columns, and figures

The fountain dates back to 1884, donated by the Beautification Society. As an obelisk fountain, it is divided into three main parts. Steps and a pedestal with a water basin form the lower part. There are two large and two smaller basins on the left and right, accessible by three steps, originally intended for market visitors. Relief panels between the columns depict Jan and Griet as a young couple on the front and back, as well as at the time of their reunion.

The north and south sides feature two larger-than-life, seated figures, one male and one female. The male represents the Cologne farmer, and the female symbolizes the virgin, interpreted as the city's defensiveness and purity. The standing figure of Jan von Werth stands with legs apart in a coat and boots at the top of the monument, leaning on his sword with both hands.

Jan and Griet: the course of love

But back to the charming tale of Jan and Griet—the legend of the fountain: Griet rejected Jan’s marriage proposal because, as a servant, he wasn’t good enough for her—socially weak and poor. Out of sorrow over the rejection, Jan let himself be recruited by an army recruiter who was in Cologne at the time, and many years and battles later, he returned triumphantly through the Severin Gate with his troops to Cologne. And who did he spot there at the market? His former great love: Griet. She was selling fruit at a farmer's stand.

Jan tipped his hat and said, “Griet, who would have thought!” to which Griet replied, “Jan, who could have known!”

Jan then got back on his horse and rode away. It seems he did not forgive her for seeking a better match. Thus, he still reigns supreme atop the monument, and even world wars could not topple him from his high pedestal, one might interpret. 

Cologne has several such fountains that offer ample conversation and historical potential: also, check out the Heinzelmännchen fountain.

Jan von Werth: an articulate career

The verifiable history behind the story: Jan von Werth was one of the most famous German cavalry generals of the Thirty Years' War. He experienced the war from the Battle of the White Mountain in 1620 to the Battle of Dachau in 1648. As a commander, he significantly shaped the war. Around 1610, he joined the Spanish army as a mercenary under General Ambrosio Spinola, served in the cavalry, and worked his way up to officer. In 1621, he switched to the Electorate of Cologne's service and was promoted to cavalry captain for his services at the siege of Jülich. 

Further battles and promotions followed. In 1638, Jan von Werth was captured in the Battle of Rheinfelden near Nollingen and spent four years in captivity. Upon his release, the Cologne Elector Archbishop Ferdinand of Bavaria appointed him lieutenant general of his cavalry at Zons. And on October 6, 1648, he defeated the Swedish General Carl Gustav Wrangel in the Battle of Dachau. The Jan-von-Werth Fountain was erected in 1884 to commemorate these achievements. 

Fun fact: The fountain was quickly embraced by the people of Cologne, and it was said that the youth misbehaved at the fountain, using it as a urinal, and the "market women of the Alter Markt" would wash their "dirty vegetable stews" in the water. After four weeks of monitoring by the fire station, the Cologne market women ensured that no harm came to the fountain.

First and Second World War: the monument remained steadfast

In 1918, there was quite a surprise when authorities attempted to melt down the Jan von Werth Monument to make cannons, as they did with many other monuments and bells: fortunately, its stone construction allowed it to survive. Similarly, the bombs that fell on Cologne during World War II, which destroyed Alter Markt in the old town, miraculously did no damage to the Jan von Werth Monument. It shook but remained firm. And that fits perfectly with the story of Jan and Griet...