Overview

• Bavaria’s 175th anniversary was marked Wednesday with a formal event at the Ruhmeshalle, where Minister-President Markus Söder called the statue a symbol of freedom.
• Böllerschützen delivered a salute on the steps, officials including Finance Minister Albert Füracker attended, and a commemorative cake capped the program.
• Visitor access to the interior spiral stair remains open this season until October 19, after which the statue closes for winter safety.
• The 87‑ton bronze stands about 19 meters tall on an approximately 9‑meter pedestal, with space for roughly 25 people inside the head and 125 steps leading up.
• Commissioned by King Ludwig I and designed by Ludwig von Schwanthaler, the statue was cast in sections by Ferdinand von Miller and unveiled before large crowds on October 9, 1850.