2015-04-20

Völkerschlachtdenkmal, The Monument to the Battle of the Nations

Völkerschlachtdenkmal, The Monument to the Battle of the Nations, is a monument located in Leipzig, Germany. In memory of the 1813 Battle of Leipzig, constructed in granite and sandstone. Designed by the Berlin architect Bruno Schmitz and inaugurated in 1913, with a height of 91 metres or 300 feet and 500 steps to a viewing platform at the top, from which there are great views of the entire city and vicinity. It is one of the greatest monuments in Europe and one of the most famous sights in Leipzig, in the state of Saxony.

The Monument to the Battle of the Nations is a monument located in Leipzig, Germany. In memory of the 1813 Battle of Leipzig constructed in granite and sandstone.

In 1813, the Battle of the Nations was fought by the alliance armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden against the French army of Napoleon, aided by Polish and Italian troops as well as German speakers from the Confederation of the Rhine. Napoleon's army suffered a crushing defeat and could not return to France. It was called the Battle of the Nations because it involved over 600,000 soldiers and was the largest battle in Europe prior to the Great War. It is said to stand on the spot of some of the bloodiest fighting, from where Napoleon ordered the retreat of his army.

The temple-shaped structure, called the Monument, is composed of two stories. Eight massive mediaeval statues of standers are standing on the first floor; each one is next to smaller statues called the Totenwächter, "Guards of the Dead". On the second story, the Ruhmeshalle "Hall of Fame" features four statues, each 9.5 metres tall, representing the four legendary historic qualities ascribed to the German people: bravery, faith, sacrifice, and fertility. Christian Behrens sculpted the statues of the monument, and his apprentice Franz Metzner finished the remaining statues after Behrens's death in 1905. Metzner worked on the sculptures at the top and inside the memorial. Although surrounding the monument are oaks, which are a symbol of masculine strength and endurance for the Germanic people of antiquity. The oaks are complemented by evergreens, symbolising feminine fecundity, which are located in a subordinate position to the oaks. The 12-metre main figure on the front of the memorial represents the archangel Michael, who is considered the "War god of Germans".

First Photo credit: Westend. Public Relations GmbH