From drunkard to lucky charm - 10x Düsseldorf knowledge about Schneider Wibbel

Ten facts you should know you should know about the famous Düsseldorf figure

Schneider Wibbel is the main character in the play of the same name by Düsseldorf playwright Hans Müller-Schlösser. It was first performed at the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus in 1913. The plot: Drunk, tailor Wibbel insults Napoleon and is sentenced for it. To escape punishment, he sends his journeyman to prison under a false name. But the journeyman dies. Tailor Wibbel watches his own funeral from a hiding place. He utters the oft-quoted sentence: "What a beautiful body I am". He then pretends to be his twin brother and remarries his wife.

Schneider Wibbel is actually a baker

Müller-Schlösser was inspired to write the play by a true story from Berlin. There, a master baker had been sentenced to several weeks in prison, which his journeyman served instead of him.

Schneider-Wibbel yarn

This is not a special material for sewing, but an extremely tasty praline from the Heinemann confectionery dedicated to the master. Fine truffle mass and delicate hazelnut marzipan are covered in delicious Heinemann chocolate, topped with roasted hazelnuts. Be sure to enjoy them fresh!

Schneider Wibbel has earned a golden nose

More than that: he also has golden knees, a golden lock of hair and a golden beard - at least on his bronze statue. It is said that touching him brings good luck. Hence the worn spots.

Hidden mouse

The monument in Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse has a special feature that can only be recognized on closer inspection: a little mouse is hidden in the folds of the fabric that the master is working on. Rubbing it also brings good luck. And not just for tourists. Locals hoping for the fulfillment of a wish also come here and stroke the little animal.

Spanish alley

Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse is also known as "Spanische Gasse" (Spanish Alley) as there are numerous Spanish restaurants in this small street in a small space.

Clever waiters

In summer, the waiters in the surrounding restaurants use the custom as a joke and stand next to the figure in the hope of being touched by young ladies. 

Washing machine helps organ

Five times a day, the figure of the sewing tailor appears in Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse, accompanied by music. When the original motor of the antiquated music box broke down in 2015, no spare parts were available. So the motor from an old washing machine was used.

Schneider Wibbel listens to punk rock

In 2012, Die Toten Hosen transformed the alleyway into a stage when they played a secret concert in an apartment located there as part of their Magical Mystery Tour.

Photo stop for tourists

Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse is a must-see on Chinese city tours. However, it is not Schneider Wibbel who arouses the interest of tourists, but an advertising relief of the city savings bank from the 1950s. It shows a "ducat shit", which in the Chinese imagination is a symbol of German savings.

No alley without a movie theater

In 1957, film businessman Franz Röder designed and realized Schneider-Wibbel-Gasse. He wanted to open a large cinema with a theater restaurant there - and create a monument to the legendary Düsseldorf character from Hans Müller-Schlösser's comedy. The large-scale project turned into a small cinema with 250 seats, which still shows films today under the name "Cinema". 

Cover picture: Düsseldorf Tourismus, Markus Luigs