The iconic snake sculpture at Ludwigsburg's Star Intersection (Sternkreuzung) will be temporarily removed as the city prepares to permanently install a roundabout at the busy traffic junction. The sculpture, created by artist Auke de Vries, has long been a polarizing fixture in the German city, with residents either loving or hating the artistic installation.
City administration officials announced that the snake sculpture and its mounting system will be dismantled during overnight operations on two consecutive nights. The removal will take place from 1:30 AM to 4:30 AM on the nights of November 12-13 and November 13-14. Due to the space requirements for heavy-duty trailers, cranes, and lifting platforms, the entire intersection will be completely closed during these hours.
To minimize disruptions to daily life, the city has carefully scheduled the work during hours when no bus service operates. Emergency services will still be able to pass through the intersection during the closure periods. The timing reflects the administration's commitment to keeping inconveniences to residents and commuters as minimal as possible.
The actual construction work to transform the Star Intersection into a permanent roundabout will begin in January 2026. City officials deliberately chose to delay the start of major construction to avoid disrupting local businesses during the crucial Christmas shopping season and the annual Christmas market. The administration wants to ensure that downtown areas remain accessible without major traffic disruptions during the busy holiday period.
According to city projections, the complete transformation of the intersection into a roundabout should be finished by fall 2026. This timeline allows for comprehensive reconstruction while accounting for the complexity of the urban engineering project.
The snake sculpture has a rich history at this location, having been first installed on May 28, 1992, more than 30 years ago. It was previously removed in October 2022 when construction work began on renovating the tunnel ceiling beneath the Star Intersection. After those repairs were completed, the sculpture returned to its prominent position in 2023, where it continued to spark debate among locals and visitors.
The sculpture's polarizing nature has made it a topic of ongoing discussion in Ludwigsburg. While some residents have grown fond of the artistic installation and consider it an important part of the city's cultural landscape, others have expressed hope that it might not be reinstalled after the current construction project. This division of opinion reflects broader debates about public art and urban aesthetics that many cities face when dealing with controversial artistic installations.
Once the roundabout construction is complete, city officials will need to decide whether to reinstall the snake sculpture or pursue alternative artistic options for the redesigned intersection. The temporary removal provides an opportunity for community input and reflection on the future of public art at this central location in Ludwigsburg.
