Hermannsdenkmal

Detmold, Germany

The Hermannsdenkmal ('Hermann Monument') stands on the densely forested Grotenburg, a hill in the Teutoburg Forest range. The monument commemorates the Cherusci war chief Arminius (in German Hermann) and the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in which the Germanic warriors under Arminius defeated three Roman legions under Varus in 9 AD. At the time it was built, the location of the statue was believed to have been very near the actual site of the battle, though it is now considered to be more likely that the battle actually took place near Kalkriese, a considerable distance to north west of the monument.

Earthworks of the monument began in July 1838, and the foundation stone was laid in October 1838. Problems emerged due the criticism for design and the financial viability of the project came to be questioned. It was inaugurated not before 1875, in the presence of Emperor William I and the crown prince, Frederick. 

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Address

Grotenburg 4, Detmold, Germany
See all sites in Detmold

Details

Founded: 1838-1875
Category: Statues in Germany
Historical period: German Confederation (Germany)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Detmold Castle (3,8 km)
Externsteine Stones (7,1 km)
Detmold Open-air Museum (2,4 km)


Kaiserpfalz Museum (22,1 km)
Paderborn Cathedral (22,2 km)
Sparrenberg Castle (24,3 km)
St. Nicholas Church (24,3 km)
Minden Cathedral (42,3 km)
Wewelsburg Castle (36,3 km)
Herford Abbey Church (25,4 km)
Lemgo City Hall (13,6 km)
St. Mary's Church (24,2 km)

User Reviews

Ein wildes Plaudagei (16 months ago)
Amazing show and all totally loved it here. Was kinda cold though like always.
Shauna-kay Bailey (16 months ago)
Lovely peaceful place to walk and take in the sights.
Wendy Schneider (17 months ago)
Very impressive monument with lots of informative plaques explaining everything. Beautiful park around the monument with plenty of places to sit and relax. Food and gift shops along the way before you get to the monument. Bathrooms are open even if the shops are closed, be sure to bring 50 cents with so you can use them.
Amith Gouda (2 years ago)
One awesome place. A must visit to understand German and Roman fights
Alx (2 years ago)
This place is awesome. A visit here is very informative and brings you closer to the German culture and history. The statue is a masterpiece!
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Historic Site of the week

Externsteine Stones

The Externsteine (Extern stones) is a distinctive sandstone rock formation located in the Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg. The formation is a tor consisting of several tall, narrow columns of rock which rise abruptly from the surrounding wooded hills. Archaeological excavations have yielded some Upper Paleolithic stone tools dating to about 10,700 BC from 9,600 BC.

In a popular tradition going back to an idea proposed to Hermann Hamelmann in 1564, the Externsteine are identified as a sacred site of the pagan Saxons, and the location of the Irminsul (sacral pillar-like object in German paganism) idol reportedly destroyed by Charlemagne; there is however no archaeological evidence that would confirm the site's use during the relevant period.

The stones were used as the site of a hermitage in the Middle Ages, and by at least the high medieval period were the site of a Christian chapel. The Externsteine relief is a medieval depiction of the Descent from the Cross. It remains controversial whether the site was already used for Christian worship in the 8th to early 10th centuries.

The Externsteine gained prominence when Völkisch and nationalistic scholars took an interest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This interest peaked under the Nazi regime, when the Externsteine became a focus of nazi propaganda. Today, they remain a popular tourist destination and also continue to attract Neo-Pagans and Neo-Nazis.

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