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In the middle of the round place named Karolinenplatz there is an enormous obelisk. It is 29 m high and seems to be made of cast-iron. In its lower part it presents four inscriptions which are historically interesting.
Inscriptions
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General view from the east, |
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View from the Königsplatz |
Photos: Hans-Rudolf Hower, 2004 |
Eastern Inscription
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Comment
Initially the obelisk was planned to be erected near the Odeon, which is not very far from here, at the eastern end of the Brienner Straße. But this one of Klenze’s plans was changed.
According to a legendary tale the obelisk was entirely made of cast-iron coming from the cannons of the turkish egyptian ships sunk during the sea battle of Navarino, in 1827. But this is not true. First of all, the obelisk is made of bricks (which are invisible, because entirely covered by cast-iron plates), and secondly, all metal used was home-made (broken cannons and church bells).
Southern Inscription
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Comment
In matters of war and glory, all things are made by the King Himself (or other very big bosses). In fact, he did not do anything else than give the order...
Western Inscription
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Comment
The Russian War that killed 30,000 Bavarian soldiers, was Napoleon’s Russian campaign which took place in 1812. This is historically correct, but it hides the fact that these Bavarian soldiers had gone to Russia in order to help Napoleon I defeat and occupy Russia. The Bavarian kingdom (which had only become a kingdom and got large additional territories thanks to Napoleon) had taken the occupant’s side – until his glory faded...
Northern Inscription
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Comment
This inscription reflects the volte-face made by the Bavarian (royal) government at the end of the Napoleonian wars. Those soldiers who had died in a war of agression against Russia, were now called defenders of the (whose?) fatherland. The historical irony (or lie) lies in the term of “Befreiung” (liberation) because it was the last Napoleonian Wars (1813-15) that were called “Befreiungskriege” (Wars of Liberation) – but this meant liberation from Napoleon! In fact, the liberation of the fatherland was NOT the matter of the soldiers honoured on this obelisk.
In Bavaria you can see several memorials in favour of or against Napoleon I, or reflecting the embarrassing volte-face of the Bavarian government.
Bibliography
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Author / Title |
Notes |
Info / Purchase |
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Biller/Rasp, München - Kunst und Kultur |
German language. Detailed and clearly structured city guide, also suitable as a reference book (German language) |
Internet
Please be aware of our legal reservation concerning any Internet reference.
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Address / Owner |
Content / Subjects |
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In the English Wikipedia. |
Detailed encyclopaedic article on Napoeon I. |
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Arrival by Public Transport
For the arrival in Munich, see Inscriptions of Munich.
From the central railway station (Hauptbahnhof), you can easily reach Karolinenplatz, walking to the north via Luisenstraße till Königsplatz, then Brienner Straße to the right. You can also take the direct underground line to Königsplatz and have a few miutes' walk for the rest.
If you are near Karlsplatz (Stachus), there is a direct tram line to Karolinenplatz, but you can have a short walk instead, taking Barer Straße to the north.
Indications concerning the arrival correspond to our personal knowledge or even experience, but we cannot assume any responsibility for their rightness. When you are reading this page, things may have changed in reality.
Hans-Rudolf Hower, 2004
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Last updated: April 4, 2016
