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Hermann Memorial
Hermannsdenkmal
Hermannsdenkmal
Coordinates	51°54′42″N 08°50′22″E / 51.91167°N 8.83944°E / 51.91167; 8.83944
Location	Teutoburger Wald, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Designer	Ernst von Bandel
Type	Monument
Material	Copper plates on iron frame, sandstone pedestal
Height	53.46 metres (175.4 ft) Pedestal and base: 26.89 metres (88.2 ft) Figure: 26.57 metres (87.2 ft)
Beginning date	1838
Completion date	1875
Opening date	1875
Dedicated to	Arminius ("Hermann")

An aerial view of the Hermann Memorial.

The Hermann Memorial (called Hermannsdenkmal in German) is a huge monument in Germany. It stands southwest of Detmold in the Teutoburg Forest. The monument is on a hill called Grotenburg, which is 386 meters high.

This impressive statue was built between 1838 and 1875. It honors a Cherusci war chief named Arminius. In German, Arminius is also known as "Hermann." He led Germanic tribes to a big victory over the Roman Empire in 9 AD. This battle, called the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, was very important. When the monument was built, people thought it was near the battle site. Today, experts believe the battle happened about 100 km away, near Kalkriese.

The Story Behind the Monument

Arminius and the Roman Empire

In 9 AD, Arminius was a leader of the Cherusci people. He was also a commander in the Roman army. But Arminius turned against his Roman allies. He led an alliance of Germanic tribes. They ambushed three Roman legions led by Governor Publius Quinctilius Varus. Most of the Roman soldiers were destroyed. This huge loss was a disaster for Rome and its Emperor Augustus. It was known as the "Varian disaster."

This battle was a major turning point in European history. It likely stopped the Roman Empire from expanding further into Germania (ancient Germany). In the 1520s, Arminius became known by the German name "Hermann."

Why Arminius Became a Hero

In the 1800s, many Germans wanted their country to be united. At that time, Germany was made up of many small states. People hoped for one strong German nation. Arminius became a symbol of this idea. He was seen as someone who had "united" the Germanic tribes long ago.

Writers like Heinrich von Kleist helped make Arminius famous. His play Hermannsschlacht (1808) was very popular. Arminius became a historical hero, seen as a "Father of the German Nation." He inspired those who wanted to fight against foreign powers, like the French Empire under Napoleon.

Building the Monument

Ernst von Bandel's Dream

The Hermann Memorial around 1900.

A close-up of the statue. The sword is 7 meters long and weighs about 550 kg.

The Hermann monument in Detmold.

In 1836, Ernst von Bandel came to the Teutoburg Forest. He dreamed of building a monument to Arminius. He chose the Grotenburg hill for its location. In 1837, a group called Verein für das Hermannsdenkmal (Association for the Hermann Memorial) was formed. Their goal was to raise money for the project. Prince Leopold II gave permission to build the monument on the Grotenburg.

Construction Challenges

Work began in 1838. The foundation stone was laid in October of that year. Bandel designed the statue to be seen from far away. However, there were many problems. Bandel's designs faced criticism, and money was often short.

By 1844, the pedestal (the base) was finished. But it cost more than expected. This caused disagreements between Bandel and the association. Work on the monument stopped for a while.

Finishing the Statue

After the German revolution of 1848, donations slowed down. Bandel even used his own money to continue. In 1860, the design for the statue's iron frame was ready. Bandel worked on the copper plates for the statue in Hanover.

Germany's victory in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) changed everything. It created a new German Empire. The Arminius monument perfectly fit the mood of national pride. Money came in quickly. The new German parliament even gave 10,000 thaler.

The monument was finally finished in July 1875. It was officially opened on August 16, 1875. Emperor William I and the crown prince attended. This made it a huge national event. About 20,000 to 30,000 people celebrated.

How People Saw the Monument Over Time

A Symbol of National Pride

From the start, the monument was a symbol of victory, especially against France. It also became a symbol of German unity. Many people saw it as a reminder of Germany's strength.

In the early 1900s, more people started visiting. By 1895, there were 20,500 visitors each year. In 1909, the 1900th anniversary of Arminius's battle was celebrated. It was a big event with parades and battle re-enactments. About 30,000 people attended.

During World Wars and Beyond

During World War I, the monument was used to encourage soldiers. It suggested that Germany would win, just like Arminius had. Visitor numbers went up to over 50,000 a year.

In the 1920s, after the war, the monument became a meeting place for nationalist groups. Adolf Hitler visited in 1926. During the Nazi era (1933-1945), the monument was used in propaganda. It was a symbol in their materials. However, the Nazi government preferred other locations for large gatherings.

After 1945, people tried to make the monument less political. The focus shifted to tourism. By the 1960s and 1970s, about 400,000 people visited each year. Today, it is mainly a tourist attraction. Recent anniversaries have included discussions about the monument's history and meaning.

What the Monument Looks Like

Location and Size

The monument stands on the Grotenburg hill, which is part of the Teutoburg Forest. It is south of Detmold. The entire monument is 53.44 meters tall. The statue itself is 24.82 meters tall, including its sword.

The statue is made from about 200 copper plates. These plates are riveted together and supported by an iron frame. The copper weighs about 11.8 metric tons. The pedestal, or base, is made of local sandstone.

The Statue of Arminius

Detailed view of the statue, showing the riveted copper plates.

The statue faces west. This direction was chosen to represent the Roman troops coming from the west. It also faced France, which was seen as an enemy in the 1800s. Arminius wears clothes that people at the time thought were historically accurate.

His right arm holds a sword pointing upwards. His left arm rests on a large shield. Arminius's left foot stands on a Roman Eagle. This was a symbol of the Roman Legions. Next to it is a fasces, a Roman symbol of authority.

Arminius wears trousers, a short skirt, a tabard, and boots. He has a beard and short curly hair. On his head is a winged helmet. The designer, Bandel, knew that ancient Germanic tribes didn't wear winged helmets. But he wanted the eagle to be a symbol of Germany.

The sword has a special message written in gold letters: DEUTSCHE : EINIGKEIT : MEINE : STAERKE MEINE : STAERKE : DEUTSCHLANDS : MACHT This means: German unity is my strength – my strength is Germany's might. On the shield, the word Treufest is written, meaning "always faithful."

The Pedestal

The pedestal is shaped like a round temple. It has ten columns that support Gothic arches. At the time, the Gothic style was considered a "true German" style. Inside the pedestal, there are 75 steps. These lead up to a round platform around the dome where the statue stands.

Three sections of the pedestal have important messages:

One section has a Latin quote from Tacitus. It describes Arminius as the liberator of Germany.
Another section talks about the wars against Napoleon. It praises Prussia for leading Germany to victory.
The third section has a relief of Emperor William I. It celebrates his victory over France in the Franco-Prussian War. It also honors him for uniting Germany.

Stairway and Bandel Bench

These parts were added in 1908-1909. Stairs lead up to the statue from the front. At the bottom of the stairs is the Bandel Bench. This is a stone bench decorated with carvings of Roman trophies. In the middle of the bench is a copper monument honoring Ernst von Bandel.

Other Places Nearby

Near the monument is the Bandelhütte. This is the historic hut where Bandel lived while finishing the monument. Today, it has a small exhibition about the monument. A bit further away is the Bismarckstein. This monument was dedicated to Otto von Bismarck in 1895.

The Grotenburg Hill

The Grotenburg hill also has two ancient circular ramparts. One is called the Kleiner Hünenring. The larger one, called Grotenburg or Großer Hünenring, surrounds the monument. These ramparts were likely built by local tribes long ago. They might have been inspired by Celtic hilltop settlements.

Hermann Monument in New Ulm

There is another similar Hermann Monument in New Ulm, Minnesota. This town was settled by German immigrants in the 1890s.

Visiting Today

The Hermann Memorial is one of Germany's most popular tourist spots. Over 530,000 people visit each year. You can climb the statue's base for great views of the surrounding forest.

Since 1972, a long-distance race called the Hermannslauf [de] starts at the monument every April. A hiking trail, the Hermannsweg, also passes by. Since 2008, the monument has been part of a tourist road called Straße der Monumente [de].

The statue is very tall and often gets struck by lightning during thunderstorms. It is hit about 234 times a year! English speakers sometimes call the monument "Herman the German". This is also a friendly nickname for German men in general.