The majestic monuments are impressive: it seems that behind their power and magnitude the same story is hidden. The Battle of Nations Monument is proof of that. This monument commemorates those who died in the battle that changed the history of the country forever. Hundreds of people worked on the concept and its realization, its history is complex and tragic for periods. Majestic, mesmerizing, powerful, mysterious - thanks to its height of 91 meters it serves as a guide for those who go to Leipzig. And even those who hadn't planned to visit it adjust their itinerary after seeing it from afar.
Construction history
In 1813 Leipzig was engulfed in a terrible battle for 3 days - from October 18 to 19. A combined army of Russian, Prussian, Swedish, and Austrian soldiers defeated the French army led by Napoleon Bonaparte. The battle was called the Battle of Nations and before the First World War was considered the largest in the history of Europe.
The idea for the monument was suggested immediately after the battle, its author - Ernst Moritz Arndt. But the battle was large-scale, which meant that serious financial investments were needed to rebuild the city. The idea was shelved.
In 1853, the laying of the "Napoleon Stone" took place, on the site of which a monument was later erected. The author of the concept was the Berlin architect Bruno Schmitz. The construction lasted from 1898 to 1913. The reconstruction of the monument was initiated by Clemens Thieme, head of the local Masonic lodge and the Union of German Patriots.
In 2003, it was decided to reconstruct the monument, which lasted 10 years: in 2013, the grand opening of the renewed monument took place.
The concept and its implementation
The location of the monument was not chosen by chance: the headquarters of the French army was located here. Each element of the monument is a symbol:
- The pond greeting the tourists is a symbol of the tears shed by the relatives of the deceased.
- At the base of the monument is the figure of the Archangel Michael, the patron saint of Prussian soldiers. The figure is made of pinkish stone, which differs from the whole composition in color and symbolizes heavenly light.
- Bas-reliefs introduce viewers to battle scenes.
- The dome is crowned by the Guardians of Liberty - 12 warriors leaning on swords.
- The ceiling depicts 324 riders in full size - the exact number of victims of the battle.
- The crypt is a symbolic tomb of heroes, surrounded by eight towers depicting the Mask of Destiny.
- On the sides of the crypt are the Knights of Death.
- Inside the monument is the Hall of Fame, where four commemorative ten-foot statues are erected: they represent courage, faith, strength, power and dedication.
The monument in numbers
- It is 91 meters high and 126 meters wide.
- To get to the observation deck, you need to overcome five hundred steps.
- The weight is 300 thousand tons.
Interesting facts:
- Construction of the Battle of Nations Monument cost the government six million gold marks
- The inscription "God is with us!"
- In 1930-1940, the Nazis used the monument for propaganda purposes: for this reason, the GDR authorities practically demolished the monument, which was fixed in people's minds as a Nazi tool.
- The monument was saved by the fact that it was perceived as evidence of the "Russian-German alliance in arms.
- You can see the city from a bird's eye view thanks to three observation decks: on the first floor at the level of the Hall of Fame and on the highest, under the dome.
- Those who have difficulty climbing the 500 stairs can use the elevator.
- Classical music concerts are held in the Hall of Fame and the gallery.
- The monument has a structure similar to the Old Testament Temple of Solomon - many people guess Masonic symbols in that.
