Mendelssohn Monument, Leipzig

The Mendelssohn Monument in Leipzig is located in front of the western portal of Saint Thomas's Church, a spot often referred to as the Mendelssohn Portal due to the monument's presence. This monument honors Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, the renowned composer, former Leipzig Gewandhaus Kapellmeister, and founder of the local Conservatorium of Music. The current statue is a detailed replica of the original, which stood outside the second Gewandhaus, also known as the New Concert Hall (Neues Concerthaus), from 1892 until it was destroyed by the Nazis in 1936 due to Mendelssohn's Jewish heritage.

Erected in 2008, the 2.8-meter bronze statue stands on a stepped granite base. The upper part of the base is made from red Meissner granite, and the lower two steps are crafted from gray granite, making the total height of the monument 6.8 meters. Mendelssohn is depicted with a piano roll in his left hand and a baton in his right, standing in front of a music desk, reflecting his role as the first modern musical conductor.

At Mendelssohn's feet, the muse of music, Euterpe, sits on the steps, leaning on a lyre, accompanied by two pairs of angels: one pair singing and the other playing the flute and violin. The front of the pedestal bears Mendelssohn's name, while the back is inscribed with the phrase, "Nobleness can only be expressed through the language of music." The sides of the pedestal feature symbols of music: a bronze medallion with an organ on the left symbolizes sacred music, and on the right, masks, a vase with a dance scene, flutes, and a sword represent secular music.

The monument's location in the garden outside Saint Thomas's Church is particularly symbolic, as Mendelssohn conducted and played organ concerts there.