The monument was commissioned by King Ludwig I to commemorate the soldiers who died during an 1833-1834 typhus epidemic in Nafplio.
The sculptor, Christian Siegel, modeled the lion after the famous Lion of Lucerne in Switzerland.
The inscription on the monument is carved in both Ancient Greek and German.
The lion is carved in high relief directly into the natural rock face of the Palamidi hill's base.
Many of the soldiers honored were members of the royal guard brought to Greece by King Otto, the first King of Greece.
It is the first outdoor sculpture created in the modern Greek state.
The monument remains a point of interest for those studying the influence of Philhellenism on 19th-century Greek architecture.
The Lion of the Bavarians is a monumental stone sculpture carved directly into a limestone cliff face in the Pronoia district of Nafplio. Commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria, it honors the young Bavarian soldiers who served in King Otto’s army and died during a deadly typhus epidemic in the city between 1833 and 1834. The sculpture depicts a reclining, dying lion, a motif chosen to symbolize sacrifice and royal Bavarian identity. It was created by the German sculptor Christian Siegel, who served as the first professor of sculpture at the Athens School of Fine Arts. The monument is situated in a small, quiet public garden space surrounded by residential buildings. It represents a significant historical link between the Bavarian monarchy and the establishment of the modern Greek state.
From the center of the small courtyard directly in front of the monument to capture the full scale of the relief.
Visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid direct, harsh overhead sun which makes the carving difficult to see.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby streets of the historic Pronoia district to see traditional architecture.
The monument is located on a quiet street; maintain a respectful volume as it is in a residential neighborhood.
Do not attempt to climb or touch the sculpture, as the limestone is susceptible to weathering and human wear.
