Memorial · Berlin

Heinrich von Kleist

d. 1936

Photograph at the Heinrich von Kleist Memorial
Photograph: Jochen Teufel, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

This stone commemorates Heinrich von Kleist and Henriette Vogel, marking the place where they died on 21 November 1811. Kleist, a notable German poet, dramatist, and storyteller, is remembered for his significant contributions to literature. Vogel, while less historically prominent, is linked to Kleist through the circumstances of their deaths. The memorial serves as a poignant reminder of their lives and the controversial manner of their passing. Erected in 1936, the stone stands as a solemn tribute to two figures whose story remains a subject of historical interest and literary discussion.

The memorial is situated in Berlin, a city with a long and complex history, often marked by significant cultural and political shifts. The early 19th century, when Kleist and Vogel died, was a period of profound upheaval in Europe, characterized by the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of German romanticism. This era saw intense intellectual and artistic ferment, often reflecting a sense of national identity and individual struggle. Memorials from this period, or commemorating figures from it, frequently express deep personal sentiment or nationalistic ideals, setting such remembrances within a broader tradition of honoring cultural figures whose lives intersected with crucial historical moments.

The memorial is located in Berlin, making it accessible to visitors exploring the city's historical sites. It is a stone memorial, offering a quiet place for reflection. Visitors can approach the site respectfully, observing the inscription. While specific access details for the immediate surroundings are not provided, it is generally expected that memorials within urban areas are publicly accessible. Those wishing to pay their respects should consider local customs regarding historical sites.

Inscription

“Heinrich von Kleist 10. Okt. 1777 21. Nov. 1811 Henriette Vogel 9. Mai 1780 21. Nov. 1811 Er lebte, sang und litt in trüber, schwerer Zeit er suchte hier den Tod und fand Unsterblichkeit. Matth. 6. V. 12 Max Ring”
Transcribed from the Memorial at Berlin.

Background

Heinrich von Kleist 10. Okt. 1777 21. Nov. 1811 Henriette Vogel 9. Mai 1780 21. Nov. 1811 Er lebte, sang und litt in trüber, schwerer Zeit er suchte hier den Tod und fand Unsterblichkeit. Matth. 6. V. 12 Max Ring

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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