The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 stands in the Hofgarten, a serene oasis in the heart of Munich. It is a testament to the city’s enduring connection to its war dead. The memorial was built to honor the Munich citizens who lost their lives in World War I. The monument is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made during the war. It was designed by sculptor Karl Knappe and architects Thomas Wechs and Eberhard Finsterwalder. The original marble statue of a fallen soldier was replaced in 1972 by a bronze cast by Thomas Wimmer.
There are four cornered stairs leading down into the open crypt. The inscription inside the crypt reads: “Erbaut / vom Obmannsbezirk / München-Stadt / des Bayr. Kriegerbundes / den / 13,000 / gefallenen Heldensöhnen / der Stadt München / 1914-1918.” It also says: “For Bavaria’s army / and its dead.” A plaque on the exterior features the inscription “They will rise.”
The Kriegerdenkmal 1914-1918 is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war, a place where grief and remembrance are intertwined. It is a place for reflection and contemplation. The monument serves as a powerful symbol of sacrifice and remembrance in the city of Munich. The memorial continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the war and as a testament to the enduring spirit of those who died.