ANGEL OF PEACE

Description

Essentials about the Angel of Peace in brief

On Prinzregentenstrasse, in the immediate vicinity of the Isar River, the 38-meter-high golden Angel of Peace watches over Munich. The Peace Monument commemorates the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of peace after the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71. The monument is part of a decorative staircase and fountain complex in the style of historicism. From the Peace Monument there is a magnificent view over the magnificent buildings on Prinzregentenstrasse.

The history and architecture of the Angel of Peace

In 1895, a competition was announced for the erection of a monument to commemorate Germany’s victory in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 and in gratitude for the blessings of peace. The foundation stone was laid in 1896; the monument was solemnly dedicated on July 16, 1899. Even today, the Peace Angel Festival is celebrated annually on a weekend in July.

The Peace Monument consists of an open eight by eight meter square temple, a 23 meter high column supporting a six meter high figure whose wingspan is five meters. The entire monument is 38 meters high and weighs about 3.5 tons.

The two-tiered base of the monument can be reached by two flight of steps. On top of it stands a temple with a square ground plan, reminiscent of the Ionic koren hall of the Erechtheion on the Athenian Acropolis. The roof is supported by eight caryatids (female sculptures with supporting function) and four corner columns. On the outer sides of each corner column are twelve relief medallions depicting heroic deeds of Heracles and well-known personalities, such as the emperors Wilhelm I, Friedrich III and Wilhelm II, the Bavarian regents Ludwig II, Otto and Prince Regent Luitpold, Reich Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, and Bavarian and Prussian army commanders. In the Korenhalle itself there are four mosaics with allegorical figures. The roof of the temple bears acroteria (raised corner decorations) at its four corners in the form of ancient armor and weapons as trophies of victory. On the roof stands the column that supports the golden Angel of Peace.

The “Angel of Peace” is not an angel in the Christian sense, but a genius of peace depicted as a striding Greek goddess of victory, Nike. Thus, the symbolic statement is more on the emphasis of victorious war as a prerequisite for peace and prosperity. The figure stands on a fluted Corinthian column crowned by a bronze capital. The column is not accessible. In her right hand she holds the olive branch as a symbol of peace, in her left hand a palladion (an image of the goddess Athena) standing on a sphere.

The view from the Angel of Peace

From the observation terrace of the Peace Monument, visitors enjoy a wonderful view over Prinzregentenstrasse with its magnificent buildings such as the Haus der Kunst (House of Arts), the Bavarian National Museum and the Prinz Carl Palais. Especially in the evening hours in summer, the Peace Monument is a romantic place when the fountain below is atmospherically illuminated at night.