The 100-year-old Döbelner giant boot: A piece of true history!

The 100-year-old Döbelner giant boot: A piece of true history!

In Döbeln, an idyllic town in the heart of Saxony, a special anniversary is being celebrated: the giant boot, a unique structure made of leather, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. At an event in the council chamber on Tuesday evening, Jürgen Dettmer from the Döbeln local history association reported on the impressive history of this boot, which in fact fits neither left nor right, but has nevertheless become a symbol of the city. Its origins lie in 1925, when the boots were made in honor of the 600th anniversary of the shoemakers' guild, a project that testifies to Döbeln's creative power and still inspires visitors today. Sächsische.de reports that shoemaker Ferdinand Reichel, a master of his craft and the “father of the Döbelner giant boot,” was able to push the idea and implementation forward together with his boot-making crew.

The boot building crew, consisting of six talented craftsmen, worked a total of 750 hours from January to August 1925 to complete the impressive piece. Supported by more than 20 Saxon companies, including the traditional company Herm. Monster, a boot was created that would go down in history. With a height of 5 meters and a sole length of 1.90 meters, the boot is a truly monumental work of art. To maintain its shape, 10 whole cow hides and 184 pounds of bottom leather were used, making the boot a full-fledged attraction.

A boot with history

But the history of the boot does not end with its creation. As early as the 1950s, the monumental piece traveled through several cities in Saxony, including Siebenlehn and Meißen. In 1957 the giant boot was finally returned to Mildenstein Castle. However, returning to Döbeln proved to be difficult: after 53 years of absence, we finally managed to bring the boot back home in 2010. The transport costs for this venerable route amounted to an impressive 9,000 euros, an investment that turned out to be worthwhile for the city.

Another interesting detail about the 100-year history is that the original last of the boot used during production no longer exists. Over the years it was cut up by shoemakers to reuse the valuable cork. Doebeln.de highlights that the shortage of materials and the various challenges, such as rail strikes at the time, did not make the project easy, but boosted the city's craftsmanship and community spirit.

Competition among the giant boots

Did you know that very similar projects also exist in the neighborhood? There is the Leisniger giant boot, which claims the largest cuff boot world championship with a height of 2.48 meters and a sole length of 1.85 meters. This boot was also made on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the Döbeln Shoemakers' Guild, but it was not included in the Guinness Book of Records because it did not exist at the time. Regionachbarn.de reports on a “boot war” between Döbeln and Leisnig, which played a decisive role after the political change and ended in a court ruling that ruled in Döbeln’s favor.

The festival surrounding the giant boot not only shows the craftsmanship and tradition of the region, but it also connects people from all over the area. The boot is not only a piece of history, but also a symbol of community and the continuous progress of local culture. The 100th anniversary is an occasion to celebrate, and the city of Döbeln is pleased to bring this unique piece of history closer to its visitors.