Grillo Square

A place for the first Schalker visionary

When the industrialist Friedrich Grillo from Essen arrives in the tranquil region of Schalke, he brings a vision with him: He doesn't just want to turn it into a mining hotspot. He also wants to set up businesses right next to the mines that would process the coal directly. With this idea, he becomes the superstar of industrialists in the Ruhr region for investors from all over the world. One thing is clear: without Grillo, no Consolidation Colliery. And without Consolidation Colliery, no FC Schalke 04.

Porträt-Fotografie von dem Industriellen Friedrich Grillo.

Schalke's godfather

Friedrich Grillo (1825-1888) was a businessman from Essen. He was one of the most important industrialists in the Ruhr area. He was particularly active in Schalke. He was the first to introduce the public limited company as a business form in the Ruhr - with great success.

Source: Institut für Stadtgeschichte Gelsenkirchen

Postkartenansicht des Grillobrunnens seinem früheren Standort, dem Schalker Markt. Rechts ist die steht die Friedenkirche.

In honour of the founder

They built their founder a magnificent fountain in the middle of the Schalker Markt - the heart of Schalker life - from which he had a view of "his Schalke". He was framed by a life-size miner on his left and a blacksmith on his right.

Source: Sammlung Karlheinz Weichelt

Eine Postkartenansicht in schwarz-weiß zeigt den Schalker Markt um das Jahr 1900. Der Schalker Markt ist mit Bäumen bewachsen. Zwischen ihnen steht der Grillo-Brunnen. Rechts steht die Evangelische Friedenskirche. Im Hintergrund ragen Schornsteine in den Himmel.

Grillo's creation

The fountain (below in the picture) at Schalke Market was surrounded by Grillo's creations: he not only laid the foundations for Schalker Industrie. He also promoted the development of the neighbourhood. Among other things, he financed the Friedenskirche church on Schalker Markt.

Source: Sammlung Karlheinz Weichelt

Die Büste von Friedrich Grillo am Grilloplatz. Am Sockel ist eine Plakette angebracht mit der Aufschrift "Der Gründer der Schalker Industrie".

Shrinkage due to war damage

Of the monument, only the bust of Grillo - clearly dented - survived the Second World War. Since 1965, a cast has stood on Grilloplatz. Instead of a fountain, the Schalke founder has a simple pedestal beneath him.

Source: Institut für Stadtgeschichte Gelsenkirchen

The news of Friedrich Grillo's death spreads like wildfire from Schalker Straße to Schalke Market. But rumours also spread among the people. Shortly before his death, he is said to have been committed to an asylum for the mentally ill. Shortly before his death, he promised the city of Essen a really expensive theatre. The people at in Schalke are puzzled: Was he always crazy? His idea for Schalke was at least visionary: when he arrived here, he saw an industrial city with 1,000 blazing fires in his mind's eye. Colliery towers like those of the Consolidation Colliery and in the immediate vicinity of ironworks. Without long transport routes, the blast furnace would use the coal to produce iron and steel, which would then be rolled directly in the factory next door. And finally, the wire factory used the material to produce hoisting ropes for the mines. Thanks to Grillo's foresight, Schalke is one of the most modern industrial locations. And without Grillo, there would be no Schalke. The citizens of Schalke decide to erect a monument in memory of the industrialist.

Like the rest of Schalke Market, the Grillo fountain was destroyed in the bombing raids of the Second World War. Only Grillo's bust survived the war badly battered. A replica of the original bust was made in the mid-1950s. Today it stands on Grillo Square. Its sober appearance does not suggest that it depicts one of the stars of the Ruhr industrialists. Grillo was said to have a golden touch. If he wanted to set up a colliery, a rolling mill or a factory, investors were beating down his door. His instinct for lucrative deals was legendary. Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks AG, which he co-founded, became the largest mining company in Europe. His vision was also characterised by economic foresight. The Gutehoffnungshütte ("Ironworks of Good Hope") is a testament to his visionary concept. With it, he transformed Schalke into the Silicon Valley of his time. Innovative products and high-quality goods were produced here using state-of-the-art technology.

Nahaufnahme der Büste Friedrich Grillos auf dem Grilloplatz in Gelsenkirchen-Schalke. Auf dem Sockel ist ein Plakette mit der Aufschrift "Friedrich Grillo. Der Gründer der Schalker Industrie" angebracht.

Grillo at his new location

The years have also left their mark on Grillo's new bust.

Source: Olivier Kruschinski

Die Grillobüste steht am heutigen Grilloplatz.

After the rebuild

Since its remodelling in 2019, the Grilloplatz has been much more open and inviting.

Source: mxr storytelling gmbh

Ein Schalke-Schriftzug aus blauen Lettern steht auf dem Grilloplatz in Schalke. Das Objekt wurde aus Beton gegossen.

The latest highlight at the Grilloplatz

This Schalke lettering has adorned the Grilloplatz since 2023. The letters cast in concrete weigh four tonnes. They turn the Grilloplatz into a popular selfie spot. The idea was realised by the Stiftung Schalker Markt.

Source: Stiftung Schalker Markt

A lot has happened on Grillo Square since Grillo's "move" from Schalke Market. The square was extensively remodelled from 2017 to 2019. Today, it is barrier-free and invites people to linger. In 2023, the Stiftung Schalker Markt provided another highlight: the foundation transformed Grillo Square into Schalke's first selfie spot with a giant "Schalke" lettering. The waist-high letters are cast in concrete and are of course blue.

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Memorial stone "Hof Schalke"