Kriegerdenkmal 1870/71, War memorial in Fürstenwallpark, Magdeburg, Germany
The Kriegerdenkmal 1870/71 is a war memorial in Fürstenwallpark featuring a sandstone stele topped with an imperial crown set on an octagonal base. Bronze reliefs and lion sculptures adorn the corners of the podium, depicting scenes from the wars.
The memorial was erected in 1877 to honor soldiers from Magdeburg who died in the German War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. It was built during a period when Prussia was establishing itself as a major power.
The memorial bears the names of Bismarck, Wilhelm I, and von Moltke along with Magdeburg's coat of arms, reflecting how these wars shaped the city's identity. Visitors see which figures and moments mattered most to local people at that time.
The memorial is located south of Magdeburg Cathedral along Hegelstraße and can be reached by stairs from the east or via paths from the north and south. It is best visited during daytime when light brings out the bronze details and stonework clearly.
Four bronze reliefs narrate scenes ranging from a soldier's farewell through battle moments to the capture of Napoleon III and Wilhelm I's imperial proclamation. This sequence tells the story from the viewpoint of those who lived it.
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