Exhibitions at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations – Experience history
The Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig is not only an impressive building, but also a place of remembrance and educational exchange. Our exhibitions tell the story of the historical events of the Battle of the Nations in 1813, the construction history and the inauguration 100 years later, as well as the political ideologization of the 20th century. The most recent chapter – the restoration of the monument – can also be traced. Experience the monument’s eventful history through original exhibits, fascinating dioramas, and multimedia presentations!
13 April to 29 June: The End of the Horror – 80 years since the End of the War in Leipzig
Installation in the Hall of Fame of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig
On April 17, 1945, the American tanks began attacking Leipzig. Two days later, the Star-Spangled Banner flew over the New Town Hall. However, fighting was still raging at Leipzig’s landmark, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. The Leipzig commander had entrenched himself there with around 200 men and refused to surrender. After firefights and hours of artillery fire, a white flag also flew over the Monument to the Battle of the Nations on April 20. The Second World War was finally over for the trade fair city.
In the Hall of Fame of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, an installation with photos and historical documents commemorates the dramatic events of 80 years ago.
A visit to the installation is included in the admission price.
Permanent exhibition in the foundation area “Career”
We present the eventful career of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations to you on eight large-format illuminated steles. From the first ideas for monuments on the former battlefield, we move on to the question of what place this place occupies today. Find out more about the early attempts at realization, the exciting construction history and the former political instrumentalization of the monument.
Access is only possible with an exclusive tour or as part of the public tour, every Thursday at 2 PM. Guided tours can be booked via besucherservice@voelkerschlachtdenkmal-leipzig.de.
Permanent exhibition in the foundation area “Renovation”
For over nine decades, the Monument to the Battle of the Nations, inaugurated in 1913, underwent hardly any renovation or maintenance work. When these were finally tackled in the early 2000s, the challenges were not just a two-decade-long structural renovation process. Given the building’s complex past, considerations regarding more appropriate modernization and cultural mediation also came to the fore.
Access is only possible with an exclusive tour or as part of the public tour, every Thursday at 2 PM. Guided tours can be booked via besucherservice@voelkerschlachtdenkmal-leipzig.de.
Museum FORUM 1813
Directly at the foot of the monument, our FORUM 1813 will familiarize you with the exciting era of Napoleon. Weapons, uniforms, equipment, pictures and personal memorabilia bring the tragic wartime to life. Attractions are objects from the possession of Marshal Józef Antoni Poniatowski (1763–1813), who drowned near Leipzig.
