When the Severins Bridge was inaugurated in 1959, there was a direct desire to erect a monument to the namesake. The Cologne sculptor Prof. Elmar Hillebrand (1925-2016) was commissioned by the City Council of Cologne in 1964 to design a Severins monument.

Held, Heinz, Severin, View of Saint Pantaleon, Museum Ludwig Gelatinesilber Cologne, rba_d029335.
Held, Heinz, Severin, View of Saint Pantaleon, Museum Ludwig Gelatinesilber Cologne, rba_d029335.Image credit: © Rheinisches Bildarchiv Köln, rba_d029335 · Image source · Image credit

In 1968, the monument was inaugurated by the then Lord Mayor Theo Burauen and handed over to the public. The sculpture is almost 4.5 m high and weighs about 20 tons, made of Lahnmarmor, i.e. polishable limestone.

Severin monument
© Prof. Dr. Thorsten Fröhlich · Image source · Image credit

She now stands in front of the Church of John Baptist and watches over the Severins Bridge and the Severinsviertel.

Since the sculpture was heavily polluted and also partially damaged, committed citizens took care of the sculptor's son to bring the artwork back into action. After donations were collected, the city took the initiative and took over the majority of the costs of the repair.

Saint Severin

Saint Severin was the third known bishop of Cologne. In 376 he is said to have consecrated a monastery in Cologne in honor of the martyrs Cornelius and Cyprianus. From this came the later St Severin Abbey.

The legend of hlg. Severin says that his relics can be found in his hometown of Bordeaux after he returns there. After three years of no rain in Cologne, a Domvikar dreams he should bring the relics of Severin from Bordeaux to help. The French at first firmly reject, but after long pleas and many gifts allow the half bishop Severin to return to Cologne. In fact, after arriving, it begins to rain and, in gratitude, the shrine is placed in the choir of the Severinskirche.

The saint is patron of the city of Cologne and the weaver. He is called for rain in drought. In addition, he should help with misfortune. The Catholic Church commemorates it on October 23, the Orthodox Christians on January 8.

Sources:

https://www.meinesuedstadt.de/sankt-severin-wird-wieder-schoen/

https://www.kuladig.de/Objektansicht/KLD-277960 www.heiligenlexikon.deEcumenical Encyclopaedian, Severin of Cologne

Martin Stankowski: Cologne. The other city guide, Bd. 2, 1997 Kiepenheuer & Witsch