This is engraved on the ground in front of the monument. I couldn't get a picture from the ground because it was so large. So from the top of the monument, I leaned over and zoomed my camera in, then it was upside down, so i had to reverse the picture.
The ruins upon which the monument is erected are believed to date back to the 6th century. Numberous battles have been fought in the vicinity. In one battle against the Normans about 888 A.D., 19,000 Dead are said to have been left on the battlefield. During the Hundred Years’ War, the district was frequently ravaged by robbers; and during the 16th and 17th centuries, the town was twice destroyed. While making excavations for the foundations of the monument, an
underground passage hollowed out of the soft rock was found running from the ruins
behind the monument to the foot of the hill.
A circular stairway of 234 steps leads from the base of the shaft to observation
platforms from which large portions of the Meuse-Argonne battlefield may be seen.
Eleven of the thirteen landings on the stairs are provided with benches where visitors may
pause to rest. Use of the monument site was given to the United States by the French
Government in perpetuity, free of charge or taxation.
Crazy wind on this side...
and then nothing on this side.
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