Karl Marx Monument

The Karl Marx Monument is a massive bronze head sculpture mounted on a raised platform with a combined height of 13 meters. The head itself measures roughly 7 meters tall and is flanked by a large bronze wall bearing engraved text.

Soviet sculptor Lev Kerbel created this monument in 1971 when the city was known as Karl-Marx-Stadt during the East German period. The work became a defining feature of the urban landscape in this industrial city.

The inscription 'Workers of the world, unite' appears in four languages on the bronze wall behind the sculpture. This multilingual message reflects the global perspective that defined the era when the work was created.

The monument sits centrally on Brückenstraße and is easily reached on foot with wheelchair accessibility for all visitors. The site functions as a natural gathering spot and is accessible at any time without entry requirements.

The work consists of 95 individual bronze pieces cast in Leningrad and later assembled together. After assembly at the VEB Germania factory, the finished sculpture reached a total weight of roughly 40 tonnes.

Location: Zentrum

Location: Chemnitz

Inception: 1971

Creator: Lev Kerbel

Official opening: October 9, 1971

Height: 13 m

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Subject:

Made from material: bronze

Part of: Sachgesamtheit Stadthalle, Hotelhochhaus und Verwaltungsgebäude mit Karl-Marx-Monument

Address: Brückenstraße 10, 12, 14; 09111 Chemnitz

GPS coordinates: 50.83580,12.92330

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:12