Remember Napoleon, right here at the Napoleonstein? This stone marks where Napoleon directed the Battle of Leipzig. It is located near the Völkerschlachtdenkmal. But this smaller monument has its own story.
The Napoleonstein stands where Napoleon had his command post on October 18, 1813. From this spot, he watched the battle unfold. The “Verein zur Feier des 19. Oktober” erected this memorial. They wanted to honor the battle’s memory. The Napoleonstein was inaugurated on October 25, 1857.
Before the Napoleonstein, there was Quandt’s tobacco mill. Johann Gottfried Quandt built it in 1743. Napoleon used this area to observe the battlefield. He had a wooden table, maps, and a stool. A large bonfire burned nearby. The mill was destroyed during the fighting. It was never rebuilt. Today, a street named “An der Tabaksmühle” marks its location.
In 1832, a simple stone marked the spot. It commemorated the Battle of Leipzig. This stone was later incorporated into the base of the Napoleonstein. The current monument features a reddish granite block. It has a base and a top plate. A cast-iron cushion rests on top. Replicas of Napoleon’s bicorne hat and spyglass sit on the cushion. Originally, a sword was also present.
The Napoleonstein bears inscriptions. The east side says: “Here Napoleon lingered on October 18, 1813, observing the battles of the Völkerschlacht.” The west side originally quoted the Bible. It said: “The Lord is a warrior. Lord is his name.” This was later replaced. It now reads: “Location of the former Quandt’s tobacco mill, Napoleon’s command post.”
Once, the Napoleonstein had a caretaker’s house. It was built in 1869. An old war veteran lived there. His name was Alte Peters. He told stories about the battle for a small fee. He even had a collection of bones found by farmers. Today, a fence with twelve pillars surrounds the Napoleonstein. This provides security.
The Völkerschlachtdenkmal overshadows the Napoleonstein today. The larger monument was inaugurated in 1913. It stands as both a viewpoint and a museum. Yet, the Napoleonstein remains a significant historical marker. It reminds us of Napoleon’s presence during that pivotal battle.