Hesserdenkmal, Military monument in Neubau district, Vienna, Austria
The Hesserdenkmal is a military monument in Vienna's Neubau district featuring a 16-meter obelisk topped with a bronze replica of the Austrian imperial crown. The structure stands in Emil-Maurer-Park between the Gürtel lanes and includes sculptural reliefs at its base depicting soldiers and military symbols.
The monument commemorates the battle of May 13, 1809, when the Austrian infantry regiment fought against Napoleon's forces at Schwarzlackenau. This engagement was part of the conflicts between Austria and France during the early 1800s.
The sculptural groups at the base show soldiers holding a regimental flag and supporting a wounded comrade, while the reverse depicts a lion guarding military trophies. These carvings tell a story of loyalty and sacrifice that visitors can read as they walk around the monument.
The monument is located near Westbahnhof station in Vienna and can be easily reached by public transportation. It also sits within walking distance of central tourist areas in the city.
The lion sculpture on the reverse side was modeled after a real lion from Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo. This connection between animal nature and military symbolism made the monument's design unexpectedly personal and rooted in lived experience.
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