When you think of Greek-inspired buildings in Bavaria, the first things that probably come to mind are the Hall of Fame at Theresienwiese in Munich and the Walhalla near Regensburg. But these are not the only memorials of their kind that took ancient architecture as their model. No sooner had the Walhalla been inaugurated in 1842 than Ludwig I commissioned another monumental building on the Danube. The result was the Liberation Hall in Kelheim, which has since overlooked the city from Michelsberg and can be seen from afar.
In honor of the freedom fighters
Photo: Wolfgang Weiser/Unsplash
The Liberation Hall was built between 1842 and 1863 according to the designs of court architect Friedrich von Gärtner and his successor Leo von Klenze. The classicist rotunda is 45 meters high and is designed as an octadecagon on a pedestal. At each of these corners stands a colossal statue 5.8 meters high. In total, the Liberation Hall has 34 statues, which were designed by Ludwig Schwanthaler based on ancient Greek models. The 18 statues on the outside represent the various German tribes, such as the Frisians, Prussians, Franks, and Bavarians. Unlike the Walhalla, the Hall of Liberation is not dedicated to individual important figures, but to the victorious battles against Napoleonic France.
Inside, a dome spans the hall, with an oculus in the center. This is a round window in the ceiling through which light falls into the building from above. The hall has a diameter of 29 meters and features an inner and outer gallery. From the outer gallery, you have a wonderful view of the Danube and the surrounding landscape. Inside the hall itself stands a row of goddesses of victory holding hands. Each of them represents one of the German states and is intended to commemorate the unity of the nation. After more than 20 years of construction, the Hall of Liberation finally opened on October 18, 1863.
Visit to the Hall of Liberation
Photo: Wolfgang Weiser/Unsplash
The Hall of Liberation is open to the public and can be visited. Children under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge, while tickets for everyone else cost €5 (full price) or €4 (reduced price). You can also purchase a combination ticket if you want to visit not only the Hall of Liberation but also Prunn Castle and the Walhalla on the same day. For all three attractions, you pay €13 for a regular ticket and €11 for a reduced ticket. The Liberation Hall is open to visitors every day throughout the year.
You can also combine your visit to the Liberation Hall with a detour to Kelheim to admire the old town there. Stop by Bavaria’s oldest wheat beer brewery and visit the Weiße Bräuhaus. Or take a boat trip on the Danube to the Danube Gorge and Weltenburg Abbey.
📍 Location: Liberation Hall, Befreiungshallestraße 3, 93309 Kelheim
🕐 Opening hours: April to October 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. & November to March 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
💶 Price information: €5 regular, €4 reduced, free for children under 18