The Monument to the Battle of the Nations commemorates the Battle of the Nations which was fought around Leipzig from October 16 to 19, 1813. The allied armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden achieved the decisive victory over Napoleon and his allies on German soil. The outcome: 600,000 combatants from over twenty nations, 100,000 dead or wounded and a typhoid epidemic in Leipzig that wiped out ten percent of the population.
Just a year after the devastating battle, the poet Ernst Moritz Arndt proposed building a monument to honour those killed in battle. In 1894 Leipzig architect Clemens Thieme founded the German Patriots Society with the aim of collecting donations to build the monument. By 1898 enough funds had been raised for construction to begin. In 1913 the Monument to the Battle of the Nations was inaugurated as a national document.
In 2014, more than 310,000 people visited the Monument to the Battle of the Nations. Today it is a highly visible landmark of the city and a tourist attraction. Those climbing the 364 steps to the top of the 91 metre monument are rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of Leipzig and its surroundings. The Forum 1813 located directly adjacent to the monument provides visitors with information about the Battle of the Nations.
Markkleeberg Canoe Park is also in the top 100
The Markkleeberg Canoe Park situated in the Leipzig New Lakeland is ranked 88th. The wildwater course provides an ideal competition and training environment for sportsmen and women. Visitors are welcome to try out wildwater rafting, kayaking and other activities.
Overview of the top 100 travel destinations
All destinations in the top 100 list can be found at www.germany.travel/top100. Tourists and those interested can also download the "Germany Top 100" app.