The fastest way is to take the regional train (S-Bahn) from the main station or the market in central Leipzig to the aptly named station “Leipzig Völkerschlachtdenkmal” (about 10 mins / 3€).Īlternatively, tram lines 2 and 15 and bus 70 also pass by the monument. Once you’re in Leipzig, getting to the monument, which is located south-east of the centre, is rather straightforward. A cheaper, if somewhat slower, option is using the good long-distance bus network of Flixbus. It’s easiest to check the connections on the website of the German train network.
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How to get to Leipzig and the MonumentĪs one of the biggest cities in Central Germany, there’s no shortage of trains running to Leipzig, for example from Berlin Central Station (about 1h 15 min / 35 €). artist Werner Tübke) but also the biggest cemetery chapel in Germany, which was based on the medieval monastery Maria Laach in the Eiffel Mountains.
South of the park, Südfriedhof, Leipzig’s biggest cemetery contains not only the graves of some famous people connected to the history of the city (incl. Both of these can be found in the small park to the west of the reflecting pool in front of the monument. Rumour has it that the water had healing properties, and it was considered important enough that the entire surrounding borough of the city (Marienbrunn) is named after it. The nearby Marienquelle formerly served as a source of drinking water to the area. It’s rather austere, only depicting the emperor’s distinct triangular hat atop a pedestal. There are several other low-key attractions in the direct vicinity, including the Napoleonstein, a small monument erected at the spot where Napoleon is supposed to have commanded his troops from. It’s to your right when you’re facing the monument. There’s a big detailed diorama of the battle as well as several objects retrieved from the area afterwards, including personal belongings of Napoleon.
It details both the events during the Battle of the Nations and the circumstances leading up to it, and the general political climate of Europe during that time. This small but informative museum is located right next to the monument and is included in the entrance fee. Monumentalism didn’t stop at monuments back then, I guess… Forum 1813 Museum To the north-west is the skyline of central Leipzig, while the imposing building to the south-west, which some visitors take for a castle, is actually the chapel and crematory of the “Südfriedhof”-cemetery. Use the stairways in the interior to leave all this heavy symbolism behind you and reach the balcony that runs once around the monument as well as the viewing platform atop the structure, which affords even better views in all directions. I certainly feel that way every time I visit the monument. The entire imagery on the outside and interior of the monument is inspired by the growing sense of German Nationalism during the first half of the 20 th century and even if the erection of the monument predates the rise of fascism, the imagery, combined with the all-encompassing monumentality and the symbolism of the structure clearly hints at what Germany was to become later on.Īs such, visiting the Völkerschlachtdenkmal is at once imposing and eerie, and you’ll be excused if your sense of awe is somewhat tempered by a feeling of uneasiness. When to visit the Monument to the Battle of the NationsĪs you might expect, from the outside the monument is open 24/7, but if you want to visit the interior and climb to the viewing platform, you’ll have to come between 10am and 6pm from April to October and between 10am and 4pm from November to March. If the thought of visiting an enormous chunk of concrete and granite commemorating the death of tens of thousands of people doesn’t appeal to you (which I get -), be ensured that climbing to the top of the structure affords wonderful views of Leipzig and its surrounding countryside. tall, the building is to this day the biggest monument in Europe and the view across the reflecting pool carrying the somewhat dramatic name See der Tränen (Translating to “Lake of Tears”) is quite impressive.
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