Friedensengel

Above the Luitpoldterrasse in the Maximiliansanlagen rises the striking Peace Monument, which Munich locals usually just call the Friedensengel, or Angel of Peace. This historic monument was built between 1896 and 1899 under the patronage of Prince Regent Luitpold to mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Frankfurt, which ended the Franco-Prussian War. The ensemble, which forms the eastern end of Prinzregentenstrasse, is designed in the spirit of historicism and draws on ancient models. You reach it by crossing the stone Luitpold Bridge, which is adorned with figures representing the four Bavarian tribes, and then step onto the terrace with its fountains, retaining walls, and an elaborate staircase.

The heart of the monument is an open, square temple modeled on the Greek Ionic style, supported by caryatids and corner piers. On the outer sides of the piers you will find relief medallions depicting both the twelve labors of Hercules and portraits of kings and generals from the Wars of Unification. Inside the hall, four large Art Nouveau mosaics decorate the walls, showing allegories of war, victory, peace, and prosperity. Above the temple roof towers a 23-meter-tall Corinthian column, bringing the entire complex to a height of 38 meters.

The crowning finish is the gilded bronze figure of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, popularly known as the Angel of Peace. In her hands she holds an olive branch and a palladion, symbolizing peace as the result of victory. The statue, which is based on a figure found in Pompeii, was camouflaged during World War II and restored in 1981 due to structural concerns, at which time the position of the wings was adjusted. Today the site invites you to take a stroll that lets you experience the combination of historical significance, architectural splendor, and the sweeping view over Munich.