Dem Krieg Minister Grafen v. Fabrice. Those words etched on the Fabrice-Mausoleum speak volumes about the man it commemorates. This is not just a tomb. It is a tribute to a leader, a soldier, and a statesman.
The Fabrice-Mausoleum stands as a testament to Georg Friedrich Alfred Graf von Fabrice. He was a Saxon General of Cavalry. From 1876 until his death, he was Chairman of the Saxon Ministry.
Fabrice served as Saxon Minister of War for over 24 years. He faithfully served four Saxon kings. His influence shaped the military and political landscape of Saxony.
Consider its design. It resembles a Festungstor or fortress gate. This reflects Fabrice’s military background. The sandstone evokes strength and permanence. Above the entrance, the Graf’s crowned coat of arms is proudly displayed.
Originally, a striking statue of Graf von Fabrice stood here. The statue depicted him in full general’s uniform. He held his helmet in his right hand. His gaze was fixed towards the horizon.
Constantin Lipsius, a Dresden architect, designed the mausoleum. Johannes Schilling, a renowned sculptor, created the statue. The Lauchhammer Works cast the bronze statue. The mausoleum was inaugurated on October 12, 1893. King Albert himself attended.
The army officers and officials funded the monument. It was a gesture of respect for their esteemed leader. The inscription reads: “DEM KRIEGSMINISTER GRAFEN v. FABRICE DIE SÄCHSISCHE ARMEE 1892.” This translates to “To the War Minister Graf von Fabrice, the Saxon Army 1892.”
Inside, the Fabrice-Mausoleum measured a modest 7 square meters. A cross vault adorned with wax paintings arched overhead. The sarcophagi of Graf von Fabrice and his wife once rested here. A small altar stood at the end.
After 1945, a dark chapter unfolded. The sarcophagi were desecrated and looted. In 1946, the bronze statue was decapitated. It was later removed as a symbol of militarism.
In the 1950s, Graf von Fabrice and his wife were reinterred. They were moved to the family vault at the St. Pauli Cemetery. Though his line died out with his children, his memory lives on.
In 2012, Dresden honored him by naming Fabrice-Strasse after him. Today, the Fabrice-Mausoleum stands without its statue. The inscription has been removed. Yet, its presence remains a powerful reminder. It is a reminder of a man who dedicated his life to Saxony. The Bundeswehr restored the site after 1989. The Fabrice-Mausoleum is now a testament to history.