Lost in time, this stone speaks volumes. The Kugeldenkmal Französische Besatzung 1812/1814 stands as a reminder of a turbulent era. It commemorates Hamburg’s French occupation.
Hamburg endured French occupation from 1806 to 1814. Napoleon’s forces aimed to enforce the Continental System. This was an economic blockade against Great Britain. Hamburg, a vital trade hub, suffered greatly. The occupation brought economic hardship to the city. Many businesses faced bankruptcy. Unemployment and poverty soared.
In 1811, Hamburg became part of the French Empire. It was the capital of the Département des Bouches de l’Elbe. The city was now Hambourg. The old council was replaced by a municipal council. Amandus Augustus Abendroth became mayor. French law replaced Hamburg’s own laws.
The Kugeldenkmal Französische Besatzung 1812/1814 specifically recalls the battles of May 1813. The monument is made from cannonballs. These balls were found embedded in walls after the French shelling.
Originally, the Kugeldenkmal was more elaborate. Johann Hinrich Martin Brekelbaum designed it. It was unveiled in 1878. The monument featured a tower-like structure. It had a multi-tiered base and an iron fence. It was adorned with 65 cannonballs. These dated back to the French siege. 21 balls came from the Danish siege of 1686.
The inscription read: “Freedom have your fathers bravely won for you, Hamburg. Worthily preserve it for yourselves until the latest generation.” This echoes the city’s motto.
When the Speicherstadt was built around 1880, the Kugeldenkmal was moved. In December 1883, it found a new home. It was placed at the Gertrudenkirchhof in the Altstadt.
Sadly, World War II took its toll. The Kugeldenkmal was largely destroyed. Most of the cannonballs disappeared. Only a fragment remains today. This fragment now resides at the Museum für Hamburgische Geschichte.
Another Kugeldenkmal exists in Harburg. It commemorates the liberation from the French.
During the French era, Hamburg faced immense hardship. In 1813, Marshal Davout ordered the destruction of houses. This created a clear field of fire around the city. Residents were forced from their homes. Churches became stables. Hamburg was fined 48 million francs. The city’s silver reserves were seized.
In the winter of 1813, French forces expelled citizens. Those without sufficient food were forced out. Around Christmas, 30,000 people were driven from the city. Many died of hunger and cold.
The Kugeldenkmal Französische Besatzung 1812/1814 is a poignant reminder. It honors the suffering and resilience of Hamburg’s people. It serves as a testament to Hamburg’s enduring spirit.