Maxmonument Statue

Gazing upwards, what does this majestic figure represent? We stand before the Maxmonument, a tribute to King Maximilian II of Bavaria. This towering statue, located on Maximilianstrasse in the Lehel district of Munich, isn’t just a bronze figure. It’s a symbol of a king’s vision and a people’s love. The Maxmonument was unveiled on October 12, 1875. Its creation was the result of a competition held a year after Maximilian’s death. The winning design, by Kaspar von Zumbusch, depicts the king in his coronation robes. He holds the Constitution in his right hand. His left hand rests on his sword. The king gazes westward. The monument stands upon a pedestal of reddish Meissen granite. The pedestal itself rests on three steps of dark gray granite syenite. At the base of the pedestal, four seated figures represent the king’s virtues: Peace, Justice, Strength, and Wisdom. Peace is symbolized by a young man with a palm branch and cornucopia. Justice, a woman with a book and sword. Strength is a helmeted man with a sword and a lion. Wisdom is embodied by a woman holding a torch. Putti, representing aspects of Maximilian’s reign, hold shields. These shields display the coats of arms of Bavaria’s regions: Altbayern, Pfalz, Franken, and Schwaben. The Maxmonument is more than just a statue. It’s a powerful representation of Maximilian II’s legacy. The inscriptions on the pedestal tell their own story. “Maximilian II King of Bavaria” graces the front. “Erected by his faithful people” is inscribed on the back. The bronze king, weighing almost five tons, silently observes the bustling city. It’s a city he greatly influenced, a city that continues to honor his memory.