Apelstein 23 Obelisk

Was it a mere rock, or a portal to the past? This unassuming obelisk, the Apelstein 23, holds a story as dramatic as the battle it commemorates. The Apelstein 23, also known as the Bertrandstein, stands here in Lindenau, a silent sentinel remembering the thunderous Battle of Leipzig. It marks the very spot where General Henri-Gatien Bertrand and his 10,000-strong Fourth French Corps stood their ground on October 16, 1813. Imagine Bertrand, a seasoned veteran of Napoleon’s campaigns, commanding a mixed force of French, Italian, Württembergers, and Westphalians. They braced themselves against the onslaught of the Allied forces, right here where we stand today. The original Apelstein 23 wasn’t always granite and grandeur. First erected in 1862 by Leipzig writer Theodor Apel, it was a modest sandstone structure, barely reaching five feet tall. It stood near the entrance of the Felsenkeller in Plagwitz. This current Apelstein 23? It’s a 1908 replica, crafted from durable granite. Look closely at its south face, the one facing Karl-Heine-Straße. You’ll see the inscription “General Graf BERTRAND IV. Corps 10000 M.” And the “N”? It doesn’t stand for North. It signifies Napoleon’s army. The north face, the one looking towards the park, tells a different part of the story: “Gefecht bei Lindenau am 16. October 1813” – the Battle of Lindenau, fought on that fateful day. The Apelstein 23 isn’t just a marker. It’s a window into a world consumed by war, where the fate of nations hung in the balance. It’s a testament to the courage and resilience of the soldiers who fought here, a reminder of the devastating cost of conflict. And it’s a tribute to Theodor Apel, the man who sought to preserve this pivotal moment in history.