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Monument to the Battle of the Nations

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VölkerschlachtdenkmalLeipzig1
VölkerschlachtdenkmalLeipzig1

The Monument to the Battle of the Nations (German: Völkerschlachtdenkmal, sometimes shortened to Völki or Schlachti) is a monument in Leipzig, Germany, to the 1813 Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of the Nations. Paid for mostly by donations and the city of Leipzig, it was completed in 1913 for the 100th anniversary of the battle at a cost of six million goldmarks. The monument commemorates the defeat of Napoleon's French army at Leipzig, a crucial step towards the end of hostilities in the War of the Sixth Coalition. The coalition armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden were led by Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Karl Philipp, Prince of Schwarzenberg. There were Germans fighting on both sides, as Napoleon's troops also included conscripted Germans from the left bank of the Rhine annexed by France, as well as troops from his German allies of the Confederation of the Rhine. The structure is 91 metres (299 ft) tall. It contains over 500 steps to a viewing platform at the top, from which there are views across the city and environs. The structure makes extensive use of concrete, and the facings are of granite. It is widely regarded as one of the best examples of Wilhelmine architecture. The monument is said to stand on the spot of some of the bloodiest fighting, from where Napoleon ordered the retreat of his army. It was also the scene of fighting in World War II, when Nazi forces in Leipzig made their last stand against U.S. troops.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Monument to the Battle of the Nations (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

Monument to the Battle of the Nations
Straße des 18. Oktober, Leipzig Stötteritz (Südost)

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N 51.312222222222 ° E 12.413055555556 °
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Völkerschlachtdenkmal

Straße des 18. Oktober 100
04299 Leipzig, Stötteritz (Südost)
Saxony, Germany
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VölkerschlachtdenkmalLeipzig1
VölkerschlachtdenkmalLeipzig1
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Russian Memorial Church of Saint Alexius (Leipzig)
Russian Memorial Church of Saint Alexius (Leipzig)

The Russian Memorial Church of Saint Alexius in Leipzig was inaugurated and dedicated from October 17–18, 1913, one hundred years after the Battle of Leipzig (also known as the Battle of the Nations). A memorial to the 127,000 Russian troops who served in the Battle, including the 22,000 who died freeing the Germans, its construction exhibited cooperation between Russians and Germans in 1913. In 1813, the German-speaking Austrians and Prussians had been united with the Russians in their battle against Napoleon and the French. Less than a year after the dedication of this centenary memorial, a different set of alliances resulted in World War I. It was named after Alexius, Metropolitan of Moscow during the 14th century, who is recognized as a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. Many external and internal features enhance the functionality of the church as a monument and a place of worship, including a wall of icons, a large chandelier, tablets bearing inscriptions on either side of the doors and four coffins containing the remains of soldiers who fought in the Battle of Leipzig. Its fortunes varied over the years partially based on Leipzig's government. The church was not always a high priority before 1945, but after Russians made it to Leipzig in World War II, they began to take care of the church and inserted a new plaque extending the purpose of the church to commemorate Russian soldiers down to 1945. The church continues to serve as a place of worship for a congregation of about 300 with a weekly attendance of about 100. It is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. Both interior and exterior portions of the church have undergone necessary renovations in recent decades. Structural work began in 2012 in preparation for the building's centennial and restoration of the wall of icons was completed in 2018. This has been funded by the governments of Germany, Saxony and Leipzig, as well as by Moscow. Groups to preserve monuments and art, the congregation and individual donations also contributed.