Meet "Buddy Anton," a true symbol of Bottrop's mining history. The life-size bronze figure in front of the city planning office, not far from the town hall, represents the many miners who worked underground for generations and significantly shaped the city's development.
The sculpture, located within sight of the town hall, is based on a design by the Bottrop artist Bernhardine Lützenburg and was created to mark the end of German hard coal mining. It commemorates not only the hard work underground, but also the special camaraderie among the miners, which is still considered a defining characteristic of the region.
The name “Kumpel Anton” was deliberately chosen: Since the 1950s, the character of the same name has stood for the typical miner in the Ruhr area – down-to-earth, humorous and deeply connected to his home.
Today, the sculpture is a popular photo subject in the city center and is regularly incorporated into events such as the Bottrop Mining Night. It serves as a visible reminder of the city's mining tradition.
