Did you see the angel’s gentle touch? It is not a caress of love but a farewell. We stand before the Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71. It is a poignant reminder of sacrifice. This monument honors soldiers who fell in the Franco-Prussian War. It captures a moment of profound loss.
The Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 was created by Johannes Schilling. He captured the brutal reality of war. The monument depicts dying warriors. They are accompanied by an angel. The angel offers solace in their final moments. One soldier is an Ulan. The angel kisses his forehead. Another lies wounded. The angel covers him with a palm. A third, a Landwehrmann, receives a laurel wreath.
Originally, the Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 stood at the Esplanade. This was near Stephansplatz. It was unveiled on October 18, 1877. This date commemorated the Battle of Leipzig. In 1926, it was moved to its current location. This is at Fontenay in the Alsterpark. The relocation was due to traffic concerns.
The Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 rests on a reddish-brown granite base. Inscriptions on the base list battle locations. They include Toul, Paris, and Loigny. Meung, Beaugency, and Le Mans are also listed. These mark significant battles of the war. The names of the fallen are inscribed as well.
The idea for the Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 emerged in 1871. Hamburg’s citizens requested a public memorial. This was to honor those who died. An architectural competition followed. Carl Börner and Grotjahn created a votive panel design. A commission selected Johannes Schilling’s design.
Schilling sculpted the figures in Dresden by 1875. The bronze group stands 2.55 meters tall. The Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 cost 50,000 marks. This was funded by the city. The monument serves as a reminder. It speaks of war’s human cost. It stands in perpetual vigil.
Consider the artist, Johannes Schilling. Born in 1828, he was a celebrated sculptor. He created over 280 sculptures. He also made over 1,000 drawings. Schilling received many honors. He died in 1910. His legacy lives on through his art. The Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 remains a testament to his skill.
The Kriegerdenkmal 1870-71 is more than bronze and stone. It embodies grief and remembrance. It serves as a reminder of the past. It urges us toward peace. It is a powerful symbol.