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Inscriptions of Munich (North of the Center)

An Obelisk for 30,000 Bavarians that Died in Russia

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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

Photo Munich: Eastern inscription of the obelisk

Eastern inscription

Photo: General view of the obelisk

General view from the east,
with the Greek monument of Königsplatz in the background

Photo: Southern inscription of the obelisk

Southern inscription

Photo: Western inscription of the obelisk

Western inscription

   

Arrival
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Photo: The obelisk seen from Koenigsplatz

View from the Königsplatz

Photo: Northern inscription of the obelisk

Northern inscription

   

Photos: Hans-Rudolf Hower, 2004

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Eastern Inscription

Original Text (in German)

VOLLENDET AM
XVIII OCTOBER
MDCCCXXXIII

Translation

Completed on october 8th, 1833

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).

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Southern Inscription

Original Text (in German)

ERRICHTET VON LUDWIG I
KOENIG
VON BAYERN

Translation

Built by Louis I
King
of Bavaria

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...

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Western Inscription

Original Text (in German)

DEN DREYSSIG TAUSEND
BAYERN
DIE IM RUSSISCHEN
KRIEGE
DEN TOD FANDEN

Translation

(Dedicated) to the thirty thousand Bavarians
who lost their lives in the Russian War

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...

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Northern Inscription

Original Text (in German)

AUCH SIE STARBEN
FÜR
DES VATERLANDES
BEFREYUNG

Translation

They, too, died for the liberation of the fatherland

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.

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Bibliography

Author / Title

Notes

Info / Purchase

Biller/Rasp, München - Kunst und Kultur

German language. Detailed and clearly structured city guide, also suitable as a reference book (German language)

amazon.de/at - amazon.co.uk - amazon.fr

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Internet

Please be aware of our legal reservation concerning any Internet reference.

Address / Owner

Content / Subjects

Napoleon

In the English Wikipedia.

Detailed encyclopaedic article on Napoeon I.

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BOOKING.COM.

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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