Carved from a glacial boulder, the Gedenkstein Königlich Preußisches Kadettenkorps Stone stands as a silent sentinel. It whispers tales of young men and military tradition. Right here, on Kadettenweg, the weight of history settles upon us. The Gedenkstein Königlich Preußisches Kadettenkorps Stone commemorates the Royal Prussian Cadet Corps. It marks a chapter in German history.
The corps traces its origins back to the Great Elector, Frederick William. He established training institutions for aspiring noble officers in Berlin, Kolberg, and Magdeburg. In 1717, King Frederick William I formally organized these schools into the Königlich Preußisches Kadettenkorps. This unified institution trained generations of Prussian military leaders. After the unification of Germany in 1871, the main cadet school in Groß-Lichterfelde became the central military elite school of the German Empire.
The Gedenkstein Königlich Preußisches Kadettenkorps Stone itself is a slab of grey granite. The front features a bronze relief. This relief depicts St. Michael, the patron saint of Germany and the signet of the Cadet Corps. He stands atop a city wall or fortress, a symbol of defense and vigilance. Oak leaves flank the figure. The years 1717 and 1919 are etched into the stone. These dates represent the founding and dissolution of the corps. The initials KPK are engraved below St. Michael.
The Treaty of Versailles mandated the closure of the Hauptkadettenanstalt Lichterfelde and all other cadet institutions. This marked the end of an era. The Hauptkadettenanstalt officially closed on March 20, 1920. A street in Lichterfelde was renamed Kadettenweg. The Gedenkstein Königlich Preußisches Kadettenkorps Stone was erected. This was done to remember the disbanded corps.
The stone was placed here on August 20, 1980. It was dedicated by the last surviving graduates. The five-ton granite boulder originated from the J. Merk stonemasonry workshop in Berlin-Lankwitz. The accompanying plaque was created by Heinz Spilker.
The Gedenkstein Königlich Preußisches Kadettenkorps Stone is more than just a stone. It represents the hopes, dreams, and sacrifices of countless young men. They dedicated their lives to military service. It speaks to a bygone era of Prussian military tradition. It stands as a reminder of the complex and often turbulent history of Germany.