Bülow Pyramide War memorial

On a small hill near Ruhlsdorfer Straße stands the Bülow Pyramide. It’s a silent sentinel, a stark reminder of a day of thunder and fire. The Bülow Pyramide commemorates the Battle of Großbeeren, a pivotal moment in the Napoleonic Wars. Imagine the scene on August 23, 1813. Prussian troops, under the command of General Friedrich Wilhelm von Bülow, stood ready to defend Berlin. Napoleon’s forces were advancing, intent on capturing the Prussian capital. The Bülow Pyramide stands on the very ground where this crucial battle unfolded. This ten-meter high pyramid wasn’t built immediately after the battle. It was erected in 1906, replacing an old windmill that had succumbed to time. Constructed from large, local fieldstones, it exudes a sense of strength and resilience. The Bülow Pyramide isn’t just a pile of stones. It carries two commemorative plaques. One side reads, “In memory of the victorious battle at Großbeeren on August 23, 1813”. The other, facing Berlin, bears a portrait of General von Bülow and his defiant words: “Our bones shall bleach before Berlin, not backwards!”. These words encapsulate Bülow’s unwavering resolve. He directly disobeyed his superior, Crown Prince Karl Johan of Sweden, who wanted to avoid a battle before Berlin. Bülow, however, sensed an opportunity. He believed the rain would render the French muskets useless. He was right. His bold decision led to a Prussian victory, a turning point in the war, and saved Berlin from Napoleon’s grasp. The Bülow Pyramide stands as a testament to his courage and decisiveness. The annual Bülow memorial run starts and ends here, a fitting tribute to the general who wouldn’t retreat.