Fascinating facts about the giant snowman 'Jakob' - Meet Jakob: The 8-Meter Giant Snowman Winning Hearts in Germany
Every winter, the small German town of Bischofsgrün builds a towering snowman named Jakob. This year, volunteers have once again stacked snow into a cheerful giant, standing proudly in the market square. The tradition, which began in 1986, draws crowds of visitors eager to see the smiling figure before Carnival.
Jakob first appeared in 1986 when locals decided to create a colossal snowman for fun. Since then, the tradition has grown, with the figure often reaching heights of 8 metres—or even 12 metres in snowy years. Dressed with rosy cheeks, a bright bow tie, and a blue top hat, Jakob has become a beloved symbol of winter in the region.
The snowman is built each year by a team of volunteers using shovels and a telescopic loader. In years with little snow, they have hauled extra snow from nearby mountains or even used hay bales wrapped in white foil to keep the tradition alive. The only time the event was cancelled was in 2021, when the pandemic made gathering impossible.
Jakob's fame has spread far beyond Bischofsgrün. A campsite in the Harz Mountains once built its own 11.5-metre snowman, inspired by the original. This year, despite recent rain, there is enough natural snow to shape the giant without extra help.
The giant snowman will remain in the market square until Carnival arrives. Visitors from across the region are expected to stop by, taking photos and admiring the handiwork. For Bischofsgrün, Jakob is more than just snow—he's a winter tradition that keeps the town on the map.
