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Description

The King Albert Monument in Wermsdorf is a crowning sight that will fascinate both history lovers and art enthusiasts. It stands majestically in memory of the beloved Saxon monarch, King Albert of Saxony, who reigned from 1873 to 1902. The monument is advantageously located right at the entrance to the magnificent Wermsdorf Castle, a remarkable Renaissance-style building that once served as a hunting lodge for the Saxon kings. Since King Albert often stayed in Wermsdorf and was so popular, the local Saxon Military Association decided to erect a monument to him. The German Kaiser Wilhelm II gifted the Military Association a bronze cannon barrel to use in the creation of the monument. Within a year, the monument was created mainly from donations from the population by the sculptor Georg Bernkopf. King Albert was portrayed as a hunter in a loden jacket, with a hunting cap and double rifle - just as many Wermsdorf residents knew him and often encountered him. On June 21, 1908, the monument was inaugurated in the presence of King Friedrich August. For over 40 years, the monument has been part of the townscape of Wermsdorf and was a place of remembrance for the popular king who was so closely associated with Wermsdorf. Unfortunately, the monument was knocked off its pedestal at the end of the 40s and has since been lost. Immediately after the German reunification, many Wermsdorf residents and the newly founded local history society campaigned for a new King Albert monument. As it did 90 years ago, the project once again received broad support. Within a short time, it was possible to raise the necessary funds through the local government, donations from the population, and grants from the regional council. On November 8, 1998, the new King Albert Monument was inaugurated. The monument provides an excellent introduction to the rich history and culture of the region. Visiting the King Albert Monument gives tourists the opportunity to learn more about one of Saxony´s most significant monarchs while simultaneously enjoying the breathtaking landscape and architecture of Wermsdorf. It is both a reminder of the past and an extraordinary artwork of great elegance and importance. Follow the traces of Saxon history and let yourself be impressed by the grandeur of the King Albert Monument and the Old Hunting Lodge.