"Are the balloons heading towards Jupiter set to restart the Mainz Jupiter project?"
The city of Mainz has been eagerly anticipating the return of a significant historical artifact – the Great Mainz Jupiter Column. This impressive column, the largest and most impressive of its kind ever found north of the Alps, has been absent for ten years due to restoration work.
In 2015, the column was dismantled due to severe damage and instability. Since then, it has been undergoing extensive restoration, which included reinforcing the column with a stainless steel skeleton and the pedestal.
Despite initial expectations of its return in 2023, the column's restoration has taken longer than anticipated. The city has been informed by the General Directorate for Cultural Heritage Rhineland-Palatinate that the restored Great Mainz Jupiter Column can be reinstalled at its original location no earlier than 2026.
However, the association 'Save the Roman' is demanding the return of the column to its original place, and they have been assured by the company Sauer that the column is fully restored and can be erected immediately. The association, along with the Invisible Roman Guard (IRG), has taken matters into their own hands, recreating the Great Mainz Jupiter Column using nine-meter-high balloons as a sign demanding its swift return.
The IRG's unconventional approach has been met with a mix of amusement and understanding. While they find an invisible Jupiter Column entertaining, they believe it cannot be a permanent state. The association's balloon replica of the column was a highlight of a recent event, where a balloon sacrifice was performed as a symbol of missing the Jupiter column and a visible sign for the website.
The Great Mainz Jupiter Column, often referred to as a 'speaking monument,' serves as a testament to the coexistence of Roman and Celtic origins in ancient Mogontiacum. It is a copy of an original column and served as a model for an entire genre, with a copy found in Rome.
Friedrich Demmler, who donated balloons for the event, also has a small replica of the Jupiter column that was given to him 25 years ago. His replica features a golden Jupiter statue on its head, adding a touch of grandeur to his personal collection.
While the city and the associations eagerly await the return of the Great Mainz Jupiter Column, the experts confirm that the column is stable in its current form. The static calculations are available, and an iron core is not necessary for the erection.
Despite the delay, the anticipation for the column's return remains high. According to the company, the reconstructed Great Mainz Jupiter Column is ready and can be installed immediately, with a potential return in early 2026. The people of Mainz are hopeful that their beloved historical artifact will soon grace their city once more.
