Monument to the Battle of the Nations
Monument to the Battle of the Nations is one of the main sights of Leipzig and is considered to be the most massive monument in Europe. The monument is located on the historical site, where from October 16 to 19, 1813 there was a battle called the “Battle of the Nations”. A coalition of Russians, Austrians, Prussians and Swedes defeated Napoleon Bonaparte’s French army during the Wars of Liberation. Until World War I, the battle was the largest battle in European history. The idea to immortalize the memory of those who died during those tragic events was proposed by poet Ernst Moritz Arndt, who was a participant in the battle. According to his plan, the monument was to be a majestic, grandiose structure. The height of the Battle of the Nations monument is 91 meters. There are 500 steps leading from the base to the upper viewing platform. The Battle of the Nations monument and the Napoleon Stone are often considered parts of the overall complex dedicated to the Battle of the Nations. Some researchers link the design of the monument to Masonic ideology. In their opinion, the layout of Solomon’s Temple – the Narthex, the Hall and the Holy of Holies – was taken as a basis for its creation.
