Völkerschlachtdenkmal
The Völkerschlachtdenkmal is the imposing Monument to the Battle of Nations set in the outskirts of the south of Leipzig. We rode down there on Saturday to check it out, climb to the top (93m above the ground at the top) and get a view of Leipzig. It's an impressive structure that was built in 1913 to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of Leipzig one hundred years earlier. We actually had no idea that this was the case until after we'd been there! It seems as if we're on the trail of Napoleon and his defeats in Europe. Sadly there was no ABBA song about the battle of Leipzig and much like the monument at Waterloo there wasn't much learned from the mistakes of the past.
Völkerschlachtdenkmal
Guardian heroes
The architecture of this monument is very very Wagnerian German - large imposing statues, solid granite and concrete construction and everything on a much-larger-than human scale - celebrating Germanic heroism. The carvings in the front are quite interesting with some relief work and some line art but the most memorable feature are the statues ringing the top of the monument. There were actually plans to tear it down as it was seen as too nationalistic and too "German" while Leipzig was under communist rule. Eventually they decided to keep it as it stood for a time when Russian and German troops had fought side by side to defeat the imperialistic forces of Napoleon. A good thing too because it's really quite an impressive place to visit. Great view from the top too!
Krematorium in the foreground, socialist apartment complex and brown coal power station in the back
Völkerschlachtdenkmal
Guardian heroes
The architecture of this monument is very very Wagnerian German - large imposing statues, solid granite and concrete construction and everything on a much-larger-than human scale - celebrating Germanic heroism. The carvings in the front are quite interesting with some relief work and some line art but the most memorable feature are the statues ringing the top of the monument. There were actually plans to tear it down as it was seen as too nationalistic and too "German" while Leipzig was under communist rule. Eventually they decided to keep it as it stood for a time when Russian and German troops had fought side by side to defeat the imperialistic forces of Napoleon. A good thing too because it's really quite an impressive place to visit. Great view from the top too!
Krematorium in the foreground, socialist apartment complex and brown coal power station in the back
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