The Siegessäule in Siegburg, located in the heart of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, is a monumental tribute to the soldiers from Siegburg and the Siegkreis who fell during the German Unification Wars of 1866 and 1870/71. This striking war memorial stands as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in these significant historical conflicts.
The idea for a memorial to honor the fallen soldiers was first proposed in 1867 by the Kameradschaftliche Verein Siegburg. By 1873, a committee was formed, consisting of notable figures such as Colonel Muelenz, Justice Wurzer, Dr. Schwann, and Mr. Heiden, to oversee the project. The design was commissioned to architect Ritschert from Berlin, ensuring that the monument would be both grand and fitting for its purpose.
The renowned stonemason Johann Josef Olzem from Bonn crafted the base of the Victoria statue using Udelfanger sandstone. The structure consists of a round column set upon a square pedestal, which itself rests on an octagonal base. Originally, the candelabras at the four corners of the base were illuminated by gas, adding a dramatic effect to the monument during nighttime.
The Victoria statue, a zinc cast ordered from Berlin's A. Castner (formerly M. Geiß), was based on an original model by the sculptor Christian Daniel Rauch. The statue was patinated to give it a distinguished appearance. This design was inspired by Christian Gottlieb Cantian's Peace Column on Belle-Alliance-Platz in Berlin, which also featured a Victoria statue by Rauch. Similar statues can be found in other locations, such as the Orangerie Schwerin and a war memorial in Waren (Müritz) until 1994. The total cost of the monument was approximately 20,000 marks, funded by voluntary contributions from the residents of Siegburg and the Siegkreis, as well as subsidies from the city and district.
The war memorial was erected in 1877 on the upper market and was ceremoniously unveiled on August 18th, the seventh anniversary of the Battle of St. Privat, in the presence of honored guests and delegations from various veterans' associations in the Siegkreis.
The inscriptions on the Siegessäule are in uppercase letters. Just below the cornice at the top of the column, the inscription reads:
“Gott war mit uns * Ihm sei die Ehre *”
The front of the column bears the dedication:
“Deutschland’s / tapferen Söhnen / MDCCCLXXVII”
Below this, an inscription lists the locations of battles and skirmishes where soldiers from Siegburg participated:
“Paris * Sedan * Metz * Amiens”
The pedestal features patriotic inscriptions on all four sides, each conveying a message of remembrance and gratitude:
“Durch uns wird / entboten / ein Gruss euren / Toten.”
“Ich steh’ ohne / Wanken / den Tapferen zu / danken.”
“Ich zeige nach / oben / den Retter zu / loben”
“Mich mag / überleben / echt deutsches / Bestreben”
Additionally, black granite plaques on the four sides of the base display the names of the fallen soldiers in alphabetical order, along with two subsequent additions, and feature a relief of the Iron Cross in the center.
In 1919, English occupation soldiers stole the candelabras. During World War II, the statue sustained damage from gunfire. In 1956, there were discussions about removing the Siegessäule to better accommodate traffic in the market area, but these plans were never realized. Instead, the statue was renovated in 1978 and now stands proudly in the pedestrian zone.
In the 1990s, the palm branch held by Victoria in her left hand was stolen by unknown individuals. The Siegessäule has also become a popular meeting point for young carnival-goers during Weiberfastnacht. In 2009, a ban on glass bottles was imposed in the area to ensure safety during the festivities. In 2013, a local patron offered to gild the statue with gold leaf, similar to the famous Victory Column in Berlin. However, this proposal was declined, partly because the Siegburg monument was not modeled after the Berlin Victory Column, and the Peace Column on Belle-Alliance-Platz was never gilded.
Today, the Siegessäule stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for German unification and serves as a symbol of peace and victory. Its historical significance and architectural beauty make it a must-visit landmark for anyone exploring Siegburg and its rich heritage.
Get your Tickets now!
With myCityHunt you can discover thousands of cities around the world in exciting scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and escape games!
myCityHunt vouchers are the perfect gift for many occasions! Surprise your friends and family with this extraordinary event gift. myCityHunt gift vouchers are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase and can be used within this period for a freely selectable city and tour from the myCityHunt portfolio.
Buy Gift Vouchers
