Dukatenmännchen

The statue. ahvenas (Atlas Obscura User)

An old building near Goslar’s central market square is decorated with numerous stately sculptures. But look closely, and you’ll see there’s one tiny sculpture far different from the mythological and historical figures. It depicts a man defecating gold coins, and it’s definitely raised quite a few eyebrows.

The building featuring the strange sculpture was built in 1484. It belonged to one of the most important and wealthiest guilds in the area, which may explain the cheeky artwork attached to the corner.

The Kaiserworth Guildhall was built to reflect both the wealth of its owners and the wealth of the city. It’s been speculated that the image of the man pooping coins referenced concerns about illegal money lending.

In 1831, the hall was transformed into a guest house and hotel. In 1992, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the marketplace it borders.

Know Before You Go

The statue is on the left corner of the building (if you're looking at it from the marketplace) directly beneath the depiction of Abundantia. Hotel Kaiserworth Goslar offers its guests a free breakfast buffet, also contains a cafe and bar. It's an 11-minute walk from the Goslar train station.