Festive unveiling of a monument to the unique, visionary nun

This month, Cologne gained a new attraction: a nearly life-size bronze statue of Maria Clementine Martin was unveiled in the square of the same name. The occasion was the 250th anniversary of the nun's birth, who was born in Brussels on May 5, 1775.

The artwork, modeled after her likeness, stands on a pedestal of Mendig basalt. The contrasting materials appear to blend seamlessly, lending the monument a unique elegance.

The founding of MCM Klosterfrau can be traced back to the extraordinary nun Maria Clementine Martin. In 1826, she established her own company in Cologne, marking the birth of the Klosterfrau brand with its famous Melissa Spirit. In 2025, she would have turned 250 – a reason for the Klosterfrau Group to commemorate her outstanding achievements. In her honor, a nearly life-size bronze statue now graces the square of the same name in Cologne's Rheinauhafen district.

Klosterfrau Group CEO Dr. Stefan Koch used the unveiling ceremony as an opportunity to look ahead to 2026 and the next anniversary year. That year will mark exactly 200 years since the founding of the still-thriving Cologne-based company.

“It fills me with pride and joy to give this visionary greater visibility in the square named after her and to keep her importance present in the city's consciousness. Most tourists who visit Cologne don't know how closely this city is connected to Maria Clementine Martin and Klosterfrau. This bronze statue will draw their attention to our company founder and perhaps spark their curiosity about her – and thus also our – history,” said Koch during the ceremony.

The bronze sculpture is the second artwork commemorating the anniversaries of the internationally active Klosterfrau Group and Maria Clementine Martin. In June 2024, the entire exterior of the headquarters on Gereonsmühlengasse was innovatively redesigned by the internationally renowned street artist Lilee Imperator. The artist, who now lives in France, interpreted Klosterfrau's history with sweeping lines and the full spectrum of typical Klosterfrau color nuances in green and blue – sometimes vibrant, sometimes pastel. The focus is on the medicinal herbs contained in the company's founding product: Klosterfrau Melissengeist (a herbal liqueur).

Maria Clementine Martin was a "founder," and her company, from today's perspective, was a startup. The nun's mission: to help people through the healing power of nature. She demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen and led her product to success. Even after almost 200 years, this spirit remains firmly rooted in the Klosterfrau Group. Like Maria Clementine Martin before her, Klosterfrau places people at the heart of everything they do. And even today, interpersonal dialogue is central – regular communication with customers, patients, and the professionals in pharmacies and medical practices. As an employer, Klosterfrau is responsible for around 1,100 employees in Germany, 450 of whom work at the company headquarters in Cologne.

Maria Clementine Martin is the founder of the Klosterfrau company. In 1826, at the age of 51, she laid the foundation for the company bearing her name.

Times were particularly difficult for women back then. They had significantly fewer rights than their male contemporaries. A peaceful state was an illusion at that time. Instead, the German-speaking part of what is now Europe consisted of hundreds of small states.

She not only cared for the sick and wounded on the battlefields, but also refined the famous lemon balm spirit. She was honored for her dedication and founded her own company in the shadow of Cologne Cathedral.

"This remarkable woman persevered against the adversities of her time in a clever and self-assured manner. We wish to especially commemorate her, who brought optimism and hope to the world, in this anniversary year. 2025 will be the Maria Clementine Martin Year for us!" said Dr. Stefan Koch. Dr. Ralf Heinen, Mayor of Cologne, is also delighted with the new attraction at Rheinauhafen: "What began with a single woman is now, as Klosterfrau Healthcare Group, one of Germany's best-known brands – and with roots right here in the Südstadt district. Maria Clementine Martin was not only a healer, but also an entrepreneur, researcher, and networker – long before these terms were commonplace. The fact that we are able to unveil her statue in this very spot today is a powerful symbol.