From the Rhine promenade in Bingen you have a beautiful view of the Niederwald Monument. At the top is the main figure, the 12.5 meter high Germania, on a pedestal in front of a throne in the "old German style" with eagle cheeks. This symbolizes the imperial throne. Although the monument as a whole was oriented towards the south, her head is turned slightly to the left, i.e. east. This means that she is looking towards the Rheingau, towards Germany, but also towards defeated France. With her right hand she holds up the imperial crown wreathed in laurel. Her left hand, on the other hand, holds a lowered sword wrapped in laurel. The laurel was already worn in ancient times in the form of a wreath by emperors as a symbol of victory and as a sign of power, and was also often used as a triumphal symbol in the 19th century.
Germania's head, on the other hand, is wreathed with oak leaves, the German attribute, and her long hair blows in the wind. Her body is covered with a heavy, pleated robe decorated with various ornaments and animals. Eagles, deer, ravens, dragons and swans can be found - animals that often appear in German fairy tales and legends. An eagle frieze and a gemstone border are attached to the edge of the coat. For protection, Germania wears a breastplate with an embossed imperial eagle. This was intended to unite everything that was part of the image of Germany at the time.
Schilling's younger daughter Clara was the model for Germania.