Stand here and imagine a battlefield. This is the story of Apelstein 2, a silent witness to a monumental clash. It stands as a memorial to the Battle of the Nations near Leipzig. These stones mark where troops were stationed.
Apelstein 2 is one of many such memorials. They dot the landscape in and around Leipzig. These stones remind us of the Wars of Liberation.
The Apelsteine come in two types. Those with a rounded head and the letter “N” mark locations of Napoleon’s army. These have odd numbers. Apelsteine with a tapered top and the letter “V” mark allied locations. These have even numbers like Apelstein 2.
These monuments are named after Theodor Apel. He was a Leipzig citizen and writer. Apel had 44 memorial stones built at his own expense. Private investors, associations, and foundations funded the other six.
Apelstein 2 bears an inscription. It honors Prinz Eugen von Wurtemberg and his 10,000 men. The stone also commemorates the Battle of Wachau on October 16, 1813.
Guido Theodor Apel designed these memorials. He lived from 1811 to 1867. The Apelsteine show the positions of the Coalition armies in the Battle of Leipzig. Each stone displays a number and the army commander’s name. It also shows troop numbers and the battle’s name and date.
The Battle of Leipzig was from October 16 to 19, 1813. It pitted Napoleon’s French army against a coalition. The coalition included Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden. The battle was a decisive victory for the coalition.
Almost 600,000 soldiers fought in this battle. It was the largest in Europe before World War I. The Napoleonic Wars’ most bloody battle unfolded here. The French suffered 45,000 killed or wounded. The coalition lost 54,000 men.
The aftermath was grim. So many dead and wounded could not receive care. Typhus and cholera erupted in and around Leipzig. These diseases spread through Germany and Europe.
Apelstein 2 stands as a reminder. It recalls the sacrifices made. It marks a pivotal moment in European history. Take a moment to reflect on the magnitude of the events. Consider the impact of the battle. Remember the individuals involved.