Monument to the Battle of the Nations: A Must-Visit in Leipzig

If you love history, magnificent architecture, panoramic views, and stunning landscapes, add the Monument to the Battle of the Nations to your Germany itinerary!

While visiting Leipzig, we toured this colossal monument. It’s an impressive memorial to those lost during the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and a celebration of victory against Napoleon.

We arrived at noon on a Friday and spent an hour and a half there. It wasn’t too busy, and parking was easy to find. You can walk around the grounds outside for free, but I highly recommend paying the small entrance fee to see the inside of the monument and the views from the observation decks.

Quick information

Location: Leipzig, Germany
Website: stiftung-voelkerschlachtdenkmal-leipzig.de
Entrance fee: Yes, to enter the monument
Free Parking: Yes
Kid Friendly: Yes

Monument to the Battle of the Nations History

The Monument to the Battle of the Nations is a remembrance of the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, where Napoleon’s forces clashed with the allied armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden. The victory cost more than 100,000 lives but also signaled the end of the Napoleonic era. At 91 meters (299 feet) in height, it’s the largest monument in Europe and was completed 100 years after the battle.

Hours

April to October: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
November to March: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Parking

This might be the only free parking we found during our trip to Germany! There’s a large parking lot in front of the monument with plenty of spaces for no-hassle parking.

Monument tours

You’ll need to pay an entrance fee to enter the monument, and there’s an additional fee if you’d like to take a tour. However, you can also wander around inside without taking a tour, which we did.

Exclusive tour

60-minute tour
Recommend for groups of 10 or more. Max 35 people.
The tour can be booked in advance and canceled up to seven days before. If canceled within seven days or not used, 50% is charged.
80 € plus entrance fee

Public tour

60-minute tour on Thursdays at 14:00 (2:00 p.m.)
Reservations are not accepted. Arrive 10-20 minutes early.
Purchase at the ticket office (near the base of the monument on the left)
2 € plus entrance fee

Audio guide

Self-guided, pre-recorded tour
Purchase at the ticket office (near the base of the monument on the left)
1 € plus entrance fee

Outside the monument

As you walk towards the monument, a large, rectangular body of water beautifully mirrors the memorial, also called the “lake of tears.” On each side of the water is a large path, and more paths are at the top of the grassy area.

Before going inside, the outside of the monument has many details to see, such as a battle scene and the Archangel Saint Michael in the center, which signify God’s support for the German soldiers.

Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, Germany

Inside the monument

Within the Monument, there’s a crypt on the first level featuring eight statues. These represent fallen warriors in the form of massive medieval knights, joined by the Guards of the Dead. You’ll see four more giant statues on the second level, known as the Hall of Fame.

Inside Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, Germany

As you continue to the observation decks, you can view the statues from the top down before heading to the outdoor platforms.

Observation decks

The Monument stands 91 meters (299 feet) tall, and you can climb 500 steps to the top to enjoy panoramic views of the area! Doesn’t that sound fun?! LOL. To get to the first observation deck, there are 364 stairs. You can also take an elevator to this level. From there, you can only take the stairs up to the rooftop deck.

View from the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, Germany

View from the top of the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig, Germany

I made it to the first outdoor deck and enjoyed the incredible views, but that’s where my journey ended. The stairwell is a steep, narrow spiral, and I wasn’t a fan of the tight space! My husband reached the top and told me a line of people were in the stairwell on the way down.

Restrooms

There are restrooms inside the monument that are free to use, and more outside near the cafe, which cost half a Euro.

Places to eat

In front of the monument’s lake is a seating area and Cafe 1813. It has mixed reviews, but it looks like a nice place to enjoy a cup of coffee and admire the views.

Here are a few other places to try in the area.

Restaurant	Cuisine	Distance from Monument
Pellourus Restaurant & Café	Greek	850 m (0.5 mi)
Schnittstelle1845	German	1.3 km (0.8 mi)
Brauhaus Napoleon	German	1.8 km (0.6 mi)

Things to see nearby

Wilhelm Külz Park and the Napoleon Stone

The Napoleon Stone in Wilhelm Külz Park is where Napoleon and his troops camped in 1813 before the Battle of the Nations.

South Cemetry

If you made it to the observation decks in the Monument of the Battle of the Nations, the South Cemetery is one of the distinct sites seen in the distance.

Established in 1879, it’s known for its beautiful park-like setting and is the final resting place of many notable individuals, including artists, politicians, and scholars. The cemetery also features stately tombs and monuments, making it popular among history and architecture enthusiasts.

Historic Old Town

The Old Town area of Leipzig is a quaint district with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Its wonderful architecture includes the Old City Hall, the St. Thomas Church, and the historic Market Square (Marktplatz).

Memorial Museum in the “Round Corner”

The Memorial Museum in the “Round Corner” (Museum in der Runden Ecke) was the district headquarters of the Ministry of State Security (Stasi), the state security service of the German Democratic Republic (GDR).