Baden-Baden gezien vanaf de Leopoldsberg 1897

This photographic print by Stengel & Co. captures Baden-Baden as seen from Leopoldsberg. Dominating the scene is the spire of the church, an arrow pointing to the heavens, a symbol deeply embedded in the cultural and religious life of the town. The spire, a visual echo of ancient obelisks, appears in countless guises across time. In ancient Egypt, obelisks were erected to honor the sun god Ra, their pointed tips reaching toward the sky. This same upward thrust is repurposed in Christian architecture, transforming the pagan symbol into a vehicle for Christian aspiration. From the soaring Gothic cathedrals of the medieval era to this modest church in Baden-Baden, the spire embodies mankind's yearning for the divine, a sentiment felt on a subconscious level. Consider how the spire has resurfaced through time, evolved, and assumed new meanings across different historical contexts. This reveals its timeless appeal as a symbol.