The monument's main inscription is engraved on the pedestal of the Germania statue: "ZUM ANDENKEN AN DIE EINMUETIGE SIEGREICHE ERHEBUNG DES DEUTSCHEN VOLKES UND AN DIE WIEDERAUFRICHTUNG DES DEUTSCHEN REICHES 1870-1871." ("In memory of the unanimous victorious uprising of the German People and of the reinstitution of the German Empire 1870-1871"). The original idea by sculptor Johannes Schilling of the victory of the united German People was later changed into a more hostile interpretation against the "sworn enemy" France.
