The memorial commemorating the victorious battles against Napoleon in the Wars of Liberation in 1813-1815 was commissioned by King Ludwig I and begun by Friedrich Gärtner, who modelled it on centrally planned buildings from ancient Rome and the Italian Middle Ages. It was completed from modified plans in 1863 by Leo von Klenze.

The supporting buttresses of the façade are crowned by 18 monumental statues which are allegories of the German tribes. The number 18 also symbolizes the date of the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig (18.10.1813), when Napoleon's troops suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Coalition.

Goddesses of victory

Inside the building, 34 monumental goddesses of victory made by Ludwig Schwanthaler in white Carrara marble join hands in a ceremonious round dance. Between them they hold 17 gilt shields that are said to have been made from the bronze of melted weapons. Since it soon became difficult to obtain the large marble blocks from Schlanders in Tyrol, only six figures could be made from this stone. The marble for the other 28 goddesses came from Carrara, and was transported to the Michelsberg primarily by water.