Can you imagine the roar of cannons shattering the peace of this peaceful meadow? This, my friends, is where the Battle of Wagram took place in 1809. Right in front of you stands the Kriegerdenkmal Schlacht bei Wagram – 1809, a monument honoring the brave soldiers who fought here. The sight of these two figures, the Austrian Grenadier and the fallen soldier, serves as a timeless reminder of the sacrifices made during those tumultuous days. The Battle of Wagram was a major clash between the Austrian and French armies and one of the most decisive battles of the Napoleonic Wars. The monument, an impressive obelisk erected in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle, is carved with the year 1809. It stands as a testament to the courage and valor displayed by the soldiers who battled for their nations.
The monument was erected in a location known as the “Sachsenklemme” or “Saxon Clamp” – a place where the Saxon troops, led by French Marshal Bernadotte, encountered fierce resistance from the Austrian army. The ‘Wallnerschwemme’, an old fire pond, was once here and is now covered by the monument. It is interesting to note that this monument was not the first built to commemorate the Battle of Wagram. In 1859, a “Monumentalkapelle” was erected to honor the fallen, which stands near the former cemetery, also known as Dr. Sahulka Park. Over the years, donations and sales of publications on this historic battle funded the erection of the grand Kriegerdenkmal Schlacht bei Wagram – 1809 that stands before us today.