Pause for a moment and let your gaze drift over this Krieger-Denkmal. It stands as a solemn reminder of a conflict long past. This is the Krieger-Denkmal. It commemorates the soldiers who died in Cologne hospitals during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. Many mistakenly call it simply the War Memorial of 1870-71. However it represents a more complex history.
In that war, many wounded German and captured French soldiers ended up in Cologne’s hospitals. Those who died were buried in Melaten Cemetery. In 1872, France erected a memorial for its 515 soldiers. They had died in Cologne and Deutz. Cologne wanted to honor its own fallen. The city commissioned a memorial for the 247 German soldiers. They were buried in the northern part of Melaten Cemetery.
Initially, city architect Julius Raschdorff was to design it. But delays occurred. Hermann Weyer, the next city architect, presented his design in January 1874. After debate, the city council approved it.
Rising slightly, the sandstone monument stands about 10 meters high. It takes the form of a four-winged cross. Granite slabs bear the names of the dead. Cologne sculptor Jean Nothen created it in the Neorenaissance style. Until World War II, a statue of Germania stood above. She faced west with an Ottonian crown and shield. Anton Werres, another Cologne sculptor, created her. Some called her Mother Colonia. In 1875, Werres wrote to Mayor Becker that his Colonia was complete.
The base features the coats of arms of Cologne and Prussia. An inscription reads: “In memory of the sons of Germany who died in Cologne as a result of the war of 1870/71.” The frieze displays triglyphs and metopes. The metopes show the coats of arms of the soldiers’ home regions. The ends of the cross arms list battle sites in France. These include Paris, Metz, and Sedan.
The Krieger-Denkmal was inaugurated on September 2, 1875 during Sedantag celebrations. It cost 18,000 marks. Out of respect for Jewish soldiers, no crosses were used. The Germania statue was damaged in World War II. It was later removed and has since disappeared.
In the 1950s, there was talk of demolishing the Krieger-Denkmal. Instead, it was partially repaired. The bronze storm pack on the right is not part of the original monument. It is a remnant of Clemens Buscher’s Kaiser Wilhelm Monument. That monument stood in Mülheim am Rhein. It was melted down in 1943. After 1945, the storm pack was placed here.
Until 2016, small trees grew wild on the monument’s roofs and in the frieze. The stone facade and roofs needed repair. In March 2016, the “Monument of the Month” group highlighted the neglect. They aimed to raise awareness of its condition.
As you can see, this Krieger-Denkmal is more than just stone. It embodies remembrance. It speaks of a city’s effort to honor its fallen. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of war. Take a moment to reflect on their sacrifices.