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Napoleonstein

Napoleonstein is a monument in Leipzig commemorating the Battle of Leipzig (1813). Its history began in 1832, when interested citizens erected a simple uninscribed sandstone memorial at the site. The present monument was later erected by the Association for the Celebration of 19 October and inaugurated as the sixth of its seven monuments. Historic images show that the site once offered a wide view over the old battlefield and the city, along with a small nearby hut built in 1862 to serve as the monument’s caretaker’s lodge. The monument later lost some prominence to the nearby Monument to the Battle of the Nations.

Napoleonstein stone monument behind a dark metal fence and stone pillars, surrounded by trees and greenery.
The Napoleonstein monument stands behind a fence in Leipzig’s Wilhelm-Külz-Park, surrounded by dense greenery.
May 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Napoleonstein stone monument behind a dark metal fence in a leafy park.
The Napoleonstein monument stands behind a metal fence amid trees and greenery in Leipzig.
May 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Napoleonstein stone pillar behind a black metal fence in a sunny park.
The Napoleonstein stands behind a fence in Wilhelm-Külz Park in Leipzig.
October 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Napoleonstein stone monument behind a black metal fence in Leipzig, framed by green trees.
The Napoleonstein monument stands behind a fence in a leafy park setting in Leipzig.
May 2022 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Napoleonstein stone pillar topped with a bicorne hat, enclosed by a fence and surrounded by trees, with several people standing nearby.
The Napoleonstein near Leipzig, shown as a fenced stone monument topped with a bicorne hat and viewed by several visitors.
· CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Identification

TitleNapoleonstein
TypeMemorial monument / memorial stone

Historical context

Commemorated eventBattle of Leipzig (Battle of the Nations), 18 October 1813
SubjectNapoleon

History and provenance

Original memorialA simple uninscribed sandstone memorial was erected at the site in 1832 by interested citizens
Current monument erected byAssociation for the Celebration of 19 October (Verein zur Feier des 19. Oktober)
Date erected25 October 1857
Date inaugurated25 October 1857
Series positionSixth of seven monuments erected by the association

Physical characteristics

MaterialReddish sandstone
FormGranite block with a base slab and top slab
PlacementResting on an earthen mound
Top decorationReplicas of Napoleon's hat and telescope on a cushion; a replica of his sword was formerly also included

Materials

EnclosureWrought-iron fence with twelve pillars

Location and ownership

Inscription languageGerman
Former structure at siteThe former Quandtsche Tabaksmühle stood there and was destroyed in the fighting
Site significanceMarks the place where Napoleon observed and directed the fighting around Probstheida
LocationMarienhöhe hill near the Marienquelle, between the former villages of Stötteritz, Probstheida, and Connewitz, in Leipzig, Germany, on land belonging to Thonberg

History and restoration

Nearby structureA small hut was built nearby in 1862 and served the monument keeper
Event at the monumentAn illegal SPD meeting took place there in 1881, attended by August Bebel and Wilhelm Liebknecht, to discuss going underground during the Small State of Siege (Kleiner Belagerungszustand)
Distance to VölkerschlachtdenkmalAbout 450 meters
SettingLocated in a park; old depictions show an unobstructed view over the former battlefield and the city, but the surrounding park trees now enclose the monument
Second inscription added1953
Earlier inscription periodUntil the 1940s
Earlier inscriptionDer Herr ist der rechte Kriegsmann, Herr ist sein Name
Current inscription, side 2Standort der ehemaligen Quandtschen Tabaksmühle, Befehlsstand Napoleons
Current inscription, side 1Hier weilte Napoleon am 18. October 1813, die Kämpfe der Völkerschlacht beobachtend

Significance

Effect of neighboring monumentThe monument has lost some attraction because of the larger Völkerschlachtdenkmal

Other

Related traditionNapoleon is said to have ordered a retreat there in the afternoon, then fallen asleep on a field chair and later left the hill toward Leipzig in the dark
Former nearby establishmentA beer garden and restaurant called Napoleonstein stood on Reitzenhainer Straße (now Prager Straße), about 350 meters northeast of the monument, from 1889 until it burned down in 1943
Former establishment operatorThe Bertsch family
Former establishment collectionA private collection on the Battle of Leipzig and the Napoleonic period, later comprising 18,000 items; it was described as a significant historical museum and was open daily
Later development on former establishment siteAfter two failed attempts in the GDR era to re-establish a restaurant, the housing complex Napoleonstein was built there in 1995/1996