Feldherrnhalle is a monumental loggia at Odeonplatz, build to commemorate achievements by the Bavarian army.
The loggia structure was build from 1841-1844, from a commission by Emperor Ludwig I.
Lion statues were added to the entrance of the loggia in 1906, as similar statues were also included in the inspiration for the building, at the Loggia dei Lanzi, in Florence.
Traditionally, lion statues were used to symbolize protection of buildings from bad spirits, which is an iconographic tradition from as far back as the Mesopotamian civilization.
PHOTO: The loggia, as seen from Odeonplatz. Inspiration for the structure came from Loggia dei Lanzi, located in Florence, Italy.
PHOTO: The loggia acts as an one end point for Ludwigstrasse, with, at 1 km from the loggia, Siegestor (triumphal arch) providing the other end. Siegestor, in turn, is also dedicated to the Bavarian army. At the loggia, there is a (pictured) Bavarian army monument by Ferdinand von Miller in 1892, also acting as a memorial to the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871).
PHOTO: The loggia, “Military Commander’s Hall” in English, has statues portraying historical military leaders of Bavaria, including pictured statue of Count Tilly (who died during the 30-year-war against Sweden, 1618–1648), and also of Prince Wrede (1767-1838), both by Ferdinand von Miller (who made the sculptures by recasting bronze cannons used in wars), from original drawings by Ludwig von Schwanthaler.
PHOTO: Among the monument highlights are the two lion statues (by Wilhelm von Rümann, 1906). According to the local legend, one of the lions is growling at the Residenz palace, while the other is respectably silent towards the Theatinerkirche.
The structure provides excellent acoustics for these purposes.