Young Hermann Josef is a poor boy at the end of the 12th century. But his life changes when he offers an apple to a statue of St. Mary.
St. Mary and baby Jesus in St. Mary in the Capitol
This statue from ca. 1180 is made out stone and not out of wood as being said in the episode. It is this statue according to legend that the young Hermann Josef interacted with when he was young and offered an apple. Even nowadays people still offer apples. Maybe they got a chance to play with baby Jesus as well as Hermann Joseph was able to according to legend?
Hermann-Josef-Fountain
Bildnachweis: Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln
Geus, Peter, Ansicht des Waidmarktes im Schnee, Kölnisches Stadtmuseum, Köln, Inv.-Nr. HM 1907/380
Once the fountain stood prominently in the middle of Waidmarkt square as for example in 1907. But nowadays? Well…
The fountain is still there but covered by post-war architecture, parking lot and a bus stop. Behind the bus stop you can see the fountain slightly.
Monastery Steinfeld
Tomb of Hermann Josef in Monastery Steinfeld
Hermann Josef’s tomb too often has apples regarding his legend during his youth.
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