Welcome to the Monument to the Battle of the Nations
This giant monument built based on designs by Bruno Schmitz is impressive because of its crypt decorated with warriors, the colossal statues towering up almost ten metres in the Hall of Fame and the 68 m high dome with the equestrian relief. The route through the foundation area of the gigantic monument provides fascinating insights into the monumental substructure of the building, a prime example of modern civil engineering from the early days of concrete construction.
Several viewpoints at different levels up to the top platform at a height of 91 metres provide a magnificent panoramic view of Leipzig and its surroundings. Passenger lifts lead up to the top exterior gallery at a height of 58 metres.
Brief history
In October 1813, the biggest battle in the history of mankind so far raged around the Leipzig city walls. Napoleon and his allies on one side, and the allied armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden on the other, fought over Europe’s future political fate. The victory over Napoleon’s forces near Leipzig cost more than 90,000 lives, but it formed the beginning of the end of the Napoleonic era.
Soon, there were many futile attempts to build a memorial for the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig. However, the monument was only completed after the end of the 19th century. On 18th October 1913, the one-hundredth anniversary of the Battle of the Nations, the gigantic 91-metre-high monument was inaugurated as the biggest monument in Europe.
Current special exhibition in the Hall of Fame
April 13 to June 29 2025: From the End of the Terror – 80 Years Since the End of the War 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. Leipzig’s combat commander had entrenched himself here 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In the Hall of Fame of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, an installation with photos and historical documents commemorates the dramatic events of 80 years ago.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 fee.
