Napoleonstein: A Silent Witness to History

Napoleonstein, located in the Wilhelm Külz Park in Leipzig, is a monument commemorating Napoleon Bonaparte's presence during the Battle of Leipzig in October 1813. This battle, also known as the Battle of the Nations, was a decisive defeat for Napoleon and a major turning point in the Napoleonic Wars. The monument marks the spot where Napoleon is believed to have observed and directed the battle, particularly the fighting around Probstheida, on October 18th. Positioned on a rise called Marienhöhe, near Marienquelle, between the villages of Stötteritz, Probstheida, and Connewitz, it was once the site of Quandt's tobacco mill, which was destroyed during the fighting. Legend has it that Napoleon, after ordering the retreat, fell asleep on a field chair before leaving the hill under the cover of darkness. The Napoleonstein consists of a reddish granite block with a base and a top plate, resting on an earthen mound. Two opposite sides bear inscriptions: "Hier weilte Napoleon am 18. October 1813, die Kämpfe der Völkerschlacht beobachtend" (Here Napoleon stayed on October 18, 1813, observing the battles of the Battle of the Nations) and "Standort der ehemaligen Quandtschen Tabaksmühle, Befehlsstand Napoleons" (Location of the former Quandt's tobacco mill, Napoleon's command post). The latter inscription was added in 1953; before the 1940s, the inscription read: "Der Herr ist der rechte Kriegsmann, Herr ist sein Name" (The Lord is the right warrior, Lord is his name). Replicas of the Emperor's hat and telescope on a cushion, and formerly his sword, are placed on top of the stone. A fence with twelve columns surrounds the monument. Initially, in 1832, interested citizens erected a simple, uninscribed sandstone to commemorate the event. The current monument was erected by the Association for the Celebration of October 19 and inaugurated on October 25, 1857. It is the sixth of seven monuments erected by this association. Historical images show an unobstructed view from the site to the former battlefield and the city, as well as a small hut built in 1862 to house the monument's caretaker. Today, the surrounding park trees enclose the monument. The Wilhelm Külz Park, in which the Napoleonstein is located, is a park in southeastern Leipzig near the Völkerschlachtdenkmal. It is named after the liberal politician Wilhelm Külz (1875–1948). The park has an approximately triangular shape. Curving park paths connect the entire complex of meadows and groups of trees. The park also contains some historically interesting objects. In 1898, the foundation stone was laid for the Völkerschlachtdenkmal. To create an attractive environment for the monument, the construction of a park began north of the monument construction site in 1905. The planning for this came from the Leipzig garden director Carl Hampel (1849–1930). Meadows were laid out and groups of trees were planted. The section of Straße des 18. Oktober leading through the park was also created before its northern parts. The park was named Denkmalspark. The name Amselpark became popular among the population. In 1913, the northern part of the park was included in the International Building Exhibition 1913. This piece housed the so-called model village and the large amusement park of the exhibition with a water slide and dance palace. In 1931, an oval meadow surrounded by trees in the southwest tip of the park was named Carl-Hampel-Platz. In the meantime, in 1963, an exhibition pavilion “History of the Battle of the Nations 1813” was opened in the facility, which has now been renamed Wilhelm-Külz-Park, on An der Tabaksmühle street. After the exhibition moved to rooms in the Völkerschlachtdenkmal, the “Park Restaurant am Völkerschlachtdenkmal” was set up in the pavilion. Visiting the Napoleonstein offers a moment of reflection on a pivotal historical event. While the grand Völkerschlachtdenkmal nearby often steals the spotlight, the Napoleonstein provides a more intimate connection to the past. Stroll through Wilhelm Külz Park, enjoy the tranquility, and imagine the scene as Napoleon surveyed the battlefield from this very spot. The park itself offers a pleasant escape from the city, with walking paths and green spaces to explore. For those interested in delving deeper into the history of the Battle of Leipzig, consider visiting the Forum 1813 - Museum zur Völkerschlacht bei Leipzig, or exploring the Völkerschlachtdenkmal which provides a comprehensive overview of the battle and its significance. The Napoleonstein, however, remains a poignant reminder of the events that shaped Europe, offering a unique perspective within a peaceful park setting.