Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars, Gothic war monument in Viktoriapark, Berlin, Germany
The Prussian National Monument for the Liberation Wars is a 27-meter tall structure of cast iron, clinker brick, sandstone, and granite with a tapering tower form. It stands on Kreuzberg hill in Viktoriapark and displays twelve cast iron statues representing major battles against Napoleon.
King Frederick William III commissioned architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel to build this memorial between 1817 and 1821 to honor Prussian soldiers and citizens. The work was created following the victorious struggles against Napoleonic rule.
The monument displays sculptures by Christian Daniel Rauch and Ludwig Wilhelm Wichmann depicting field marshals and members of the royal family. These figures tell the story of people who played important roles during the Liberation Wars.
The monument stands on Kreuzberg hill in Viktoriapark and is easily reached from central Berlin. The hilltop is accessible year-round and offers views of the surrounding area.
In 1875, twelve hydraulic presses lifted the entire structure to add an eight-meter pedestal beneath it. This engineering feat demonstrates the technical skill used to move massive stone constructions in the 19th century.
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