The late 19th century, after the Franco-Prussian War which lead to the unification of Germany was a great time to build monuments to the glorification of Germany. One such monuments (I almost wrote monstrosities) is the Niederwald Denkmal in Rüdesheim am Rhein.

It features a more than 12 metres high personification of Germania, holding aloft the laurel crown of the victor and the sword, pointing downward, as well a symbol of victory.

At the foot of the huge figure is this relief of 133 Germans considered important – all of them life-size to give an indication of the size of the monument. Underneath, larger than life, are the Rivers Rhein (male) and Mosel (female), Father Rhine handing the horn of the guardian to his daughter (tributary) Moselle hinting at the land gain of Elsass und Lothringen  (Alsace and Lorraine) through the means of war.

The words are the verses of hymn called Die Wacht am Rhein, the watch towards the west, the heriditary enemy France, glorifying the blood that is ready to be spilled for the German Reich.  We all know how that ended.

For One Word Sunday: Monumental, on this day of the “open monument” in Germany which will see me looking for less martial examples of monuments.