Bismarck monument

The Bismarck Monument in Freiberg is today mostly a piece of history rather than a statue on a pedestal — the original bronze monument, unveiled in 1895, did not survive the Second World War. The site itself, in the historic centre of Freiberg in Saxony, can still be visited, and a plaque tells the story of what once stood there.

When and why was the monument built?

Freiberg's monument to Otto von Bismarck was unveiled on 2 September 1895 on the Postplatz, one of the city's central squares. It was erected on the occasion of Bismarck being made an honorary citizen of Freiberg — a gesture many German towns made at the time to honour the former Imperial Chancellor shortly after he left office. The square itself was even renamed Bismarckplatz between 1925 and 1945, a direct reference to the monument standing there.

What happened to the monument during the war?

The Second World War sealed the monument's fate. On 15 July 1942, the bronze figure was taken down from its pedestal as part of a nationwide German scrap-metal collection for the wartime armaments industry — many monuments across Germany, made of metal that had become valuable for the war effort, met the same end. The removed statue was ultimately melted down, and Freiberg permanently lost this piece of its 19th-century urban fabric.

What can visitors see at the site today?

Neither the pedestal nor the figure survive, but the location has not been forgotten. Since 30 July 1998, a bronze memorial plaque has marked the monument's former location, recalling the history of both the statue and the square. The square where the monument once stood is known today as Platz der Oktoberopfer — yet another name change that reflects how eventful this particular spot has been over more than a century.

Why combine the visit with the rest of Freiberg?

Freiberg is one of Saxony's most historically important mining towns, shaped for centuries by silver mining in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) — a region inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2019 as the Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří Mining Region. The city is also home to the TU Bergakademie Freiberg, one of the oldest mining academies in the world, founded in 1765. A walk through the old town, where the site of the former Bismarck monument sits, pairs easily with a visit to the city centre's other historic landmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bismarck Monument in Freiberg still standing? No — the original bronze monument from 1895 was removed from its pedestal in 1942 and melted down for the wartime armaments industry. Only a memorial plaque marks the site today.

Where exactly was the monument located? On the square historically known as Postplatz, renamed Bismarckplatz between 1925 and 1945, and known today as Platz der Oktoberopfer, in the centre of Freiberg.

Since when has the memorial plaque existed? Since 30 July 1998, commemorating the history of the monument and the circumstances of its creation and removal.

What was the occasion for building the monument? Otto von Bismarck being made an honorary citizen of the city of Freiberg.