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All Germany Tübingen Pi-Chacán

Pi-Chacán

This giant statue of a vulva became internationally famous after an American exchange student got stuck in it.

Tübingen, Germany

Added By
Sandra Lang
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Pi-Chacán   Vololona / Atlas Obscura User
Pi-Chacán   Vololona / Atlas Obscura User
Pi-Chacán.   134.2.247.214/Public Domain
Pi-Chacán.   Hic et nunc/Public Domain
Temporarily covered statue (August 2023)   honzahol / Atlas Obscura User
Construction work by the statue (August 2023)   honzahol / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Since 2001, a massive vulva-shaped sculpture has graced the rear entrance of the Institute for Virology and Microbiology at Tübingen University. The sculpture remained largely unknown to many—that is, until an American student got stuck in it.

Fernando de la Jara, a Peruvian artist, created Pi-Chacán. The name derives from his native Quechua language and means “making love.” The artist intended to create an ode to life and healing, a theme that fits well with the numerous hospitals and biomedical research institutions close to the sculpture.

The sculpture was erected in a rather remote area of the university campus. But in 2014, an American student studying abroad in Germany came across the striking anatomical depiction and decided to pose for pictures with it along with some friends. The student climbed into the giant marble vulva and became stuck. Twenty-two firefighters arrived at the scene to help ease him out, head first. Fortunately, the artwork was not damaged during the process.

The story of the trapped student received a lot of attention from the media, bringing the intriguing artwork out of the shadows and putting it in the international spotlight.

Update as of September 2023: Currently closed indefinitely. 

Related Tags

Public Art Anatomy Sculptures Universities

Know Before You Go

The sculpture can be accessed without any restrictions all year long. Please, learn from others' mistakes and do not enter it. 

Parking is possible in parking house Nr.6., 15 minutes for free.

 

Community Contributors

Added By

Vololona

Edited By

honzahol, Kerry Wolfe

  • honzahol
  • Kerry Wolfe

Published

February 14, 2019

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Sources
  • http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2014/06/american-bro-gets-stuck-in-giant-german-vagina.html?gtm=top&gtm=bottom
  • https://www.smh.com.au/world/student-gets-stuck-in-giant-stone-vagina-in-germany-20140623-zsiet.html
Pi-Chacán
6 Elfriede-Aulhorn-Straße
Tübingen, 72076
Germany
48.531829, 9.035126
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Schlosslabor

Tübingen, Germany

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tübingen

Tübingen

Germany

Places 5

Nearby Places

Schlosslabor

Tübingen, Germany

miles away

Tübingen University Paleontological Collection

Tübingen, Germany

miles away

Silcher Monument

Tübingen, Germany

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Tübingen

Tübingen

Germany

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