The Soaring Falcon

Neglected Landmark: A Spotlight on the Forgotten Memorial

, and Administrator

2025 September 5 . 10:43 AM

2 min read

The Soaring Falcon

Controversial Monument at the University of Innsbruck: A Long History of Debate

The copper bird, or eagle, monument at the University of Innsbruck has been a subject of controversy since its unveiling in 1926. The eagle, symbolizing courage, bravery, and defense, was erected under the direction of architect Lois Welzenbacher. However, the inscription on the stone on which the eagle stands, reading "Honor - Freedom - Fatherland," has sparked debate and criticism over the years.

After World War II, criticism of such war memorials grew, and the first attempt at reinterpretation or supplementation occurred in 1984 with the installation of a memorial plaque honoring Christoph Probst, one of the White Rose resistance members who was executed by the Nazis. Yet, this did not sufficiently alter the meaning of the monument for some.

In January 1990, a second memorial plaque was installed, commemorating Jesuit priests Ignacio Ellacuría and Segundo Montes, who were murdered in San Salvador in November 1989, along with six others. This move was an attempt to address the controversial nature of the monument.

However, in the 2000s, students called for the monument's demolition, stating that it glorifies war and expresses longing for annexation to Germany. Unfortunately, there are no specific details available about the individuals involved in these protests.

In October 2010, the eagle was painted pinkish-red, and a banner with the inscription "Zicke, Zacke, Hühnerkacke" was hung up. The background and activists involved were not identified.

Since fall 2019, efforts have been made to contextualize the monument to initiate a historical-political discourse. Historian and history didactician Andrea Brait, along with Bernhard Natter, Helena Pereña, and Alexandra Vasak, have written about the University of Innsbruck's copper bird (eagle) monument in various publications.

Removing unwanted inscriptions carved in stone is a common strategy for dealing with controversial monuments. In 1990, the eagle was also painted over with "Motherland." Yet, the eagle's original design and inscription remain, serving as a reminder of its controversial past.

The eagle, initially a revisionist symbol, also represented the loss of South Tyrol. As the university and the city of Innsbruck continue to grapple with this complex history, the copper bird (eagle) monument stands as a testament to the ongoing debate about the role of historical symbols in the present day.