Canossasäule, Memorial obelisk in Bad Harzburg, Germany.
The Canossasäule is an obelisk made from granite blocks that taper gradually toward the top and rest on a three-stepped square base. The structure reaches 19 meters in height and commands the mountaintop with its clean, upright form.
The monument was erected in 1877 and honors Bismarck's declaration that Germany would not submit to papal authority. This statement referred to a major political struggle between the German state and the church during that era.
The monument displays a bronze medallion with Bismarck's profile and carries inscriptions that recall the conflict between secular and religious power. These symbols tell of an important moment when Germany wanted to assert its political independence.
The monument stands on Großer Burgberg at roughly 482 meters elevation and offers visitors views over Bad Harzburg. The site is easily accessible, and the illuminated structure can be visited in the evening hours as well.
During a 2018 renovation, the inscriptions were enhanced with gold leaf to make Bismarck's statement 'Nach Canossa gehen wir nicht' more visible from a distance. This improvement makes the historical message easier to read from afar.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
