Monument to the Battle of the Nations

Leipzig’s well-known landmark is situated on the battle field of the Battle of the Nations of 1813, not far from the place where Napoleon once issued his orders. The monument is 91 metres high and made of concrete and granite porphyry. It was designed by Bruno Schmitz and inaugurated in 1913. Deeply impressive are the crypt and the nearly 10m high colossal figures. The 68m high dome hall is often used for concerts and other performances because of its excellent acoustics.

With an abundance of historical photographs and drawings, the exhibition in the Ruhmeshalle presents the history of the concept, the construction and the reception of the monument. Starting with the first idea to build a memorial in the year 1813, the numerous commemorative structures in 19th-century Leipzig through to the erection of the biggest monument in Europe between 1898 and 1913 are shown.

At the bottom of the monument the museum FORUM 1813 informs about the Battle of Leipzig. More than 350 original objects, such as weapons, uniforms, equipments and private souvenirs illustrate the war time situation at that time and reflect a soldier’s life during that period.