Der Pfalz und ihren im Weltkrieg gefallenen Soehnen Sculpture

Whispers of fallen heroes echo here, at Der Pfalz und ihren im Weltkrieg gefallenen Soehnen. This sculpture, nestled in Munich’s Hofgarten, isn’t just a statue. It’s a crypt, a tomb, a poignant tribute to Munich’s sons lost in the First World War. Der Pfalz und ihren im Weltkrieg gefallenen Soehnen, or “War Memorial in the Courtyard,” was completed in 1928. It was designed by sculptor Karl Knappe and architects Thomas Wechs and Eberhard Finsterwalder. The memorial centers around a sunken crypt. Imagine descending the four cornered stairs, the cool Muschelkalk stone surrounding you. On one wall, a relief depicts marching soldiers, a stark contrast to the burial ground scene on the opposite wall. At the heart of Der Pfalz und ihren im Weltkrieg gefallenen Soehnen lies the crypt. Twelve stone blocks support a massive 250-ton roof, sheltering the figure of a fallen soldier. This bronze soldier, a replacement for the original marble, rests on a red marble base. The original, crafted by Bernhard Bleeker, now resides in the Bavarian Army Museum in Ingolstadt. Inscriptions, etched into the stone, speak volumes. “They will rise,” is carved on the western side. “For our dead,” faces east. Inside, a dedication lists the 13,000 fallen sons of Munich from 1914-1918. The pedestal of the soldier reads, “For Bavaria’s army and its dead.” Initially, the names of Munich’s fallen were inscribed on the walls. Sadly, damage from World War II erased these names, and the original list was lost. A new inscription commemorates the 22,000 dead, 11,000 missing, and 6,600 air raid victims of the Second World War. Der Pfalz und ihren im Weltkrieg gefallenen Soehnen is more than just a memorial. It’s a somber reminder of the cost of war, a place to reflect on the lives lost, and a testament to the enduring spirit of Munich.