In 1875, the Hermann Monument was ceremoniously inaugurated – accompanied by music, parades and patriotic speeches. Back then, it stood for unity, pride and national self-assertion. Today – 150 years later – it is a monument in transition: a place of remembrance, of looking forward, of discussion.

To mark the anniversary, the Lippisches Landesmuseum Detmold is hosting a major special exhibition that takes a new look at the famous monument. Denk:Mal! tells 150 years of monument history – exciting, multi-layered and surprisingly up-to-date.

How did a patriotic monument become a symbol through the ages? And what do monuments actually tell us about ourselves? Between holograms, projections and a virtual reality station, visitors can discover history up close – from the ceremonial inauguration in 1875 to political appropriation and today’s excursion destination and selfie motif.