Austrian monument, Military memorial in Leipzig, Germany

The Austrian monument is a granite-based obelisk of limestone topped by the Habsburg double eagle in gun bronze, wings spread, bearing the crowns of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and perched on a sword. The eagle faces toward Leipzig, the city held by the French. The pedestal shows 1813 and the days of the fighting, here "14. 16. u. 18. OKTOBER".

The four monuments were made in Austria and set up in Leipzig from late August 1913, organised by city building officer Otto Wilhelm Scharenberg. The initiative came from Saxony: pastor Hans Krieger of Eschefeld petitioned Emperor Franz Joseph I for the battle's centenary. Lößnig and Markkleeberg were inaugurated at the anniversary; the others followed on 2 December 1913, the 65th year of Franz Joseph's reign.

The eagle's gaze is turned toward Leipzig, the city occupied by the French in 1813, and the pedestal marks the battle days 14, 16 and 18 October. The monuments were made in Austria, yet the initiative came from Saxony: pastor Hans Krieger of Eschefeld petitioned Emperor Franz Joseph I, who had a design submitted within 48 hours.

The monument stands at the eastern side of Rembrandtplatz in Lößnig, in southern Leipzig; the square was called Merveldtplatz until 1950. It is reached on foot from the surrounding residential streets, and the bronze plaque and inscriptions are at eye level on the front of the obelisk.

The inscriptions on the monument name specific regiments and units that fought in the battle. These details help visitors understand the individual stories and connections behind the memorial.