Manhole cover in Stadtlohn, 07, Germany

The image depicts the head of the Apostle Paul. According to this German Wikipedia page, the fact that his bearded head appears three times on the lid is linked to the town’s former coat of arms. That coat of arms featured the three birds of the Lords of Lohn. In the seventeenth century, the birds were replaced by the head of Paul, the patron saint of the Diocese of Münster. This design cleverly incorporated one of the legends associated with Paul. When he was beheaded on the orders of Emperor Nero, his head bounced three times on the ground. Springs of crystal-clear water gushed forth at the points where it bounced.

The image depicts the head of the Apostle Paul. The fact that his bearded head appears three times on the lid is linked to the town’s former coat of arms, according to this German Wikipedia page. That coat of arms consisted of the three birds of the Lords of Lohn. In the seventeenth century, the birds were replaced by the head of Paul, the patron saint of the Diocese of Münster. Clever use was made of one of the legends associated with Paul. When he was beheaded on the orders of Emperor Nero, his head bounced three times on the ground. Springs of crystal-clear water sprang up at the points where it bounced.

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