Monument to Freiherr vom Stein

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honesty and piety. One of the figures points to the "Monumenta Germaniae Historica," a collection of medieval sources on German history which was initiated by him. Four large bronze reliefs on the base depict mythological scenes: Hope promising Borussia (Prussia) a glorious future; the spirit of sacrifice of the Prussian people; Borussia leading her children into battle; the victors crowned with garlands. A narrow frieze below these scenes shows events in the life of Freiherr vom Stein: the reform of Prussian administration, 1807-08; abolition of serfdom; raising of the Landwehr (National Militia); Tsar Alexander visiting Stein; the Allied entry into Leipzig, Stein vowing to pursue the enemy to Paris; opening of the first Diet of Westphalia; a municipal reorganization, 1808. On the base of the statue is the inscription "To the Minister Freiherr vom Stein from a grateful Fatherland." The monument, originally erected in 1870, suffered severe damage during the Second World War. It was removed from its original site in 1969, restored and re-erected in its present position in 1981, on the 150th anniversary of Freiherr vom Stein's death.