A bronze bear sculpture that stood prominently along Berliner Ring in Aachen for decades has mysteriously disappeared since the beginning of this year, leaving behind only fragments on its pedestal. The artwork, which was apparently cut off using an angle grinder, has gone largely unnoticed despite its prominent location at the highway on-ramp to Autobahn 544.

The exact timing of the bear's disappearance cannot be precisely determined because its absence went undetected for a considerable period. For decades, the sculpture occupied a highly visible position on a meadow area along Berliner Ring, where thousands of motorists passed by it daily on their way to and from the major highway interchange.

Currently, thousands of cars continue to pass the site daily, but now they encounter only the remaining fragments of what was once a complete monument: a base, a metal rod, and a single bear paw. The bronze sculpture appears to have been deliberately removed, with evidence suggesting it was cut away using power tools, as indicated by photographer Andreas Herrmann's documentation of the scene.

Perhaps most striking about this incident is the apparent lack of public concern or official response. No one seems to miss the departed sculpture, and consequently, no authority or organization has stepped forward to claim responsibility for either the remaining debris or the site's restoration. This absence of accountability has resulted in the remnants being left in place with no clear plan for cleanup or replacement.

The situation highlights a broader issue of cultural heritage management and public art stewardship in the city. With no entity taking responsibility for the vandalized artwork and no indication that a replacement monument will be installed anytime soon, the site serves as a reminder of both the vulnerability of public art installations and the challenges of maintaining civic cultural assets when ownership and responsibility remain unclear.