Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Leipzig

Europe’s largest memorial is being restored

The Völkerschlachtdenkmal was designed at the end of the 19th century, in the early days of concrete construction. Due to lack of previous experience in dealing with modern materials, peculiar design solutions and poorly conceived details, first signs of decay were already visible just a few months after the monument’s inauguration.

The monument had not undergone fundamental conservation or redevelopment work since its inauguration.
The reasons for this backlog of necessary work were physical and technical faults, the effects of wars and economic crises such as lack of financial support.

On 14th July in 19981 , the elected representatives of the City of Leipzig decided to make “the Völkerschlachtdenkmal one of Leipzig’s outstanding sights, a major cultural monument, a place of living memory, a place where people can experience history as well as a place of open communication for the purpose of the creation of a European identity...”

After extensive examination of the state of repair, planning and detailed analysis, a schedule for complete redevelopment has been worked out, including an extension of use and the necessary modernisation. The main elements of this plan will have been realised by 18th October 2013, the monument’s 100th anniversary. 

The following steps have already been realised:

FORUM 1813

In May 1999 and after extensive renovation, FORUM 1813 inaugurated previously unused rooms in the monument as a new museum of the history of the Völkerschlacht.

The Elevator

In April 2003, the elevator, dismantled in the turmoil at the end of World War II, was reinstalled and put into operation.  

Visitors Centre

After decades of provisional solutions, the Völkerschlachtdenkmal was finally given a modern visitor’s centre in October 2003. It houses the ticket office, a shop, an information desk and sanitary facilities.  

St. Michael’s Plateau

Unfortunately, the large plateau in front of the relief of the battle had been constructed on a completely unsuitable base, and so its renovation began in Summer 2003 with the drilling of a pile foundation. The work was finished in Autumn 2004 when new natural stone slabs were laid. 

War damage in the Ruhmeshalle

During the last few days of World War II, the Völkerschachtdenkmal suffered severe damage from artillery fire. The repair of the damage caused by a shell landing in the interior of the Ruhmeshalle, or Hall of Fame, was finished in spring 2004.

Currently the following work is being carried out:

Wheelchair access and opening up of the lower level

Since summer 2004 work has been being carried out to give disabled persons access to the monument and open up the lower level of the building.

Renovation of the top platform and the monument’s crown

Work on the natural stone facade has begun and will progress from top to bottom over the next few years. Currently, the facade near the crown is being cleaned and conserved, holes and fissures in the natural stone backfilled and the joints between the blocks grouted.

Restoration of drainage

At the moment the defective drainage in the building is being fixed. Seven of the eight vertical drainage pipes have already been put back into service using the so-called inline-process.

For further information please contact the visitor’s information centre at the monument.