NIEDERWALD MONUMENT
The foundation stone for the Niederwalddenkmal high above Rüdesheim was laid in 1877 in the presence of Kaiser Wilhelm I.
However, it was only inaugurated in 1883.
The 38 metre high monument with the 12.50 metre high statue, Germania, commemorates the founding of the German Reich in 1871. The preceding Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 ended with Prussia's victory over France. Bismarck was now able to persuade the southern German states (Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden) to join the "small German" nation state.
The North German Confederation thus became the "small German" solution. A German nation state without Austria. Wilhelm I was crowned German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles.
The Niederwald Monument was intended to symbolise the triumph over France.