Befreiungshalle

Kelheim, Germany

The Befreiungshalle (Hall of Liberation) is a neoclassical monument on the Michelsberg hill above the town of Kelheim. It stands upstream of Regensburg on the river Danube at the confluence of the Danube and the Altmühl. 

King Ludwig I of Bavaria ordered the Befreiungshalle to be built in order to commemorate the victories against Napoleon during the Wars of Liberation that lasted from 1813 to 1815.

The construction was started in 1842 by Friedrich von Gärtner in a mixture of Neoclassical and Christian styles. It occurred on Michelsberg, in a place previously occupied by a part of the ruins of a pre-historic fortification or town, thought by some to have been Alcimoennis. At the behest of the King, Leo von Klenze later altered the plans and completed the building in 1863.

The powerful-looking rotunda made of Kelheim limestone rests on a three-tier base, which is designed as an octadecagon. The outer facade is divided by 18 pillars with 18 colossal statues by Johann Halbig as allegories of the German tribes that took part in the battles. These are: 'Franconian, Bohemian, Tyrolean, Bavarian, Austrian, Prussian, Hanoverian, Moravian, Saxony, Silesian, Brandenburger, Pomeranian, Mecklenburg, Westphalia, Hesse, Thuringian, Rhinelander, Swabia' (circulating in this order with an arbitrary start).

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Details

Founded: 1842-1863
Category: Statues in Germany
Historical period: German Confederation (Germany)

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Courtney Darder (16 months ago)
This place can be a lot of work to get to if you park at the bottom however it felt great making it all the way to the top! Lucky for me the rain held off and was a good hike. Inside the liberation hall which you have to pay to enter just go to the visitor center. But it has some gorgeous views from the top! Definitely a must! Lots of history marked in here.
Benseer Mohamed (16 months ago)
Liberation Hall in Kelheim, Bavaria is a stunning architectural gem with panoramic city and river views. The on-site cafeteria/restaurant adds convenience, making it an ideal place to unwind, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. When traveling by car, it's recommended to use the car parking address as the destination to avoid abruptly ending up on the main road. A must-visit spot in Kelheim for a delightful experience.
Kent Wang (18 months ago)
You have to buy your ticket at the visitor's center, not at the Hall itself. The Hall of Liberation a neo-classical monument on the hill above the town of Kelheim. It was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria to commemorate the victory over Napoleon, and completed in 1863.
Su Pa (18 months ago)
Nice monument to visit. Easy walk of ~ 20 minutes from the parking lot in the town/next to the river. Tickets (4€) to be purchased further in a building with a restaurant. Then you have to walk a bit back towards the monument itself. Automated scanning of tickets and passing through a turniket. It is very chilly inside, so I recommend wearing a jacket even on a warm day! Possible to climb on two different levels of a monument. Divided stairs for the way up and down, no mess. Toilettes available downstairs at the place of purchasing the tickets.
michal k. (19 months ago)
Wonderful place to visit. It's located ~20 min of walk from the city centre. Inside the hall it's cold, so be prepared and rather have a jacket. You can walk up through another ~200 stairs to get an extra view. You need to get the tickets in the small building which is located another 300m direction west.
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