Arsonists Vandalize Kassel Hercules Monument

 

Hercules Monument, Kassel Photo: Matthias Froherz via Wikimedia Commons

Hercules Monument, Kassel
Photo: Matthias Froherz via Wikimedia Commons

The Hercules monument in Kassel, Germany has been attacked by arsonists, Art magazine has reported. Local police confirmed on Friday that vandals set fire to two separate parts of the statue. Both fires extinguished naturally and did not require intervention from fire services.

According to the Museum Association of Hessen Kassel (MHK) the unknown perpetrators accessed the visitor platform of the statue via scaffolding and proceeded to set fire to a lighting gel they had spread on the monument.

An MHK spokesperson stressed that, “There was no major damage to the statue.” However, a police spokesperson added that a glass barrier at the entrance to the site had been damaged and an electricity distribution box was destroyed. Officials estimated the vandalism resulted in €10,000 – 15,000 ($13,400 – 20,100)  in damages.

The Hercules monument is a landmark of Kassel and has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2013. The monument remains open to visitors despite the attack.


Follow Artnet News on Facebook:


Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.
Article topics