About this place
For decades, Austria struggled to honor those who refused to fight for the Nazis. Deserters were often branded as cowards or traitors even long after 1945. This monument, unveiled in 2014, finally breaks that silence. Designed by Olaf Nicolai, the blue 'X' serves as a pedestal for an unspoken hero. It is a powerful symbol of individual conscience standing against the machinery of war, placed right at the center of political power on Ballhausplatz.
Key facts
- 2014 year — This monument was finally unveiled to honor deserters
- 15000 soldiers — Sentenced to death for desertion or 'undermining morale'
- 3 steps — Concrete tiers form the 'X' shape of the sculpture
📍 Ballhausplatz, 1010, Wien