Obelisk in Rheinsberg, Memorial obelisk in Rheinsberg, Germany

The Obelisk in Rheinsberg is a stone monument standing on a hilltop overlooking Grienericksee lake, positioned across from Rheinsberg Palace. The structure features four sides with memorial tablets bearing engraved names and personal inscriptions.

Prince Henry of Prussia erected the obelisk in the early 1790s on a hill above the Grienericksee, facing Rheinsberg Palace, in memory of his brother August Wilhelm. It also honours 28 officers of the Seven Years' War, each with a plaque inscribed in French by the prince himself. Theodor Fontane later read the monument as an act of opposition to Frederick II, since it honoured men the king had not duly recognised.

The inscriptions on the monument were personally written by Prince Henry to honor each officer's service and dedication. This personal gesture reveals how deeply the prince valued his connection to these military leaders.

The monument is accessible through several marked hiking trails, including a loop of about 3 miles around Schloss Rheinsberg that features only gentle elevation changes. The paths are clearly signposted and wind through the gentle hills surrounding the lake.

The monument bears French inscriptions and a relief portrait of Prince August Wilhelm, reflecting the strong cultural ties between Prussia and France during the Enlightenment era. This language choice underscores that French was the preferred language of European aristocracy at that time.