…that the „Passauer Tölpel“ (Passauer Oaf or Fool) is in actual fact the stone head of a medieval statue that once stood high up on the former Gothic Cathedral?

The stone head probably comes from a figure of the cathedral, which was destroyed in the town fire of 1662. It is unknown whether this is a statue of the dome patron from 1370 or a cantilever (early 15th century) from the western cathedral gable. However, the appearance of the stone head (short hair, large eyes, thick, grinning lips and a broken nose, which gives it a somewhat stupid face) speaks more for the cantilever.

The statue fell to the ground as the Cathedral collapsed after the Great Fire of 1662. One does not know if the statue is that of St. Stephen from the year 1370 or a corbel (console) from the gable dated beginning of the 15^th century. However, the appearance of the stone head (short hair, large eyes, thick, grinning lips and a broken nose, which gives it a slightly stupid look) speaks more for the corbel.
The honorary citizen of Passau Anton Niederleuthner wrote the following verse describing the fall of the Tölpel:

“From Passaus Cathedral I fell down, My lovely body fell apart, But I’m still alive and merry, Just a little soft in the head.”

These words can be found written on a plaque beside the stone head hanging on the wall of the civic center opposite the Cathedral.