This monument was created in 1992 by Karin Mennen to preserve a legend from medieval times first written down in the 16th century. map
The legend tells of a mermaid who was caught by fishermen. They refused to release her, but eventually but was able to escape. In fits of revenge she destroyed the area – both Minsen and the larger Wangerland area – with severe storm floods (which have hit this part of Germany in 1164, 1362, 1717 and 1962).
The Wangerland coat of arms shows the mermaid with a finger raised in warning. And even today it is said that Minsen used to be located at the location of the current Minsener Oog, a small uninhabited island that is 3 miles further out to sea.
References:
● https://www.wangerland.org/texte/seite.php?id=310759
● https://statues.vanderkrogt.net/object.php?webpage=ST&record=dens216
● https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsen
● https://minsener-warft.de/das-minsener-seewiefken
● https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsen
● The Mermaids of Earth coffee-table book: See page 50 in the book about this sculpture.
