The site lies within the Steinthaleben community in the Kyffhäuserland district, about 6.5 km (4.0 mi) north of Bad Frankenhausen and southwest of Tilleda in the Goldene Aue plain.

Architect Bruno Schmitz drew up plans in accordance with the late 19th century tradition of imperial grandeur, realized in massive stone structures like the Walhalla in Bavaria, the Hermannsdenkmal in the Teutoburg Forest, and the Niederwalddenkmal near Rüdesheim.

[4][5] Architect Bruno Schmitz had borrowed romanesque style elements from the Hohenstaufen castles and fortresses of the 12th and 13th centuries for his Monument walls and towers.

[7][8] A little scenic stone quarry surrounded by terraces on the east side of the monument forms the backdrop for the emperor Frederick Barbarossa sandstone sculpture created by Nikolaus Geiger (1849–1897).

This moment has been highlighted by the cawling[check spelling] movement of the left hand, that rests in the bottom-long beard and a slightly recessed leg that is not covered by the coat.

Sculptor Nikolaus Geiger decorated the emperor's red beard with the imperial crown, as its original is on display in the Vienna Hofburg.

To the right a Germanic warrior, who represents defense and to the left a woman, holding a pen and an oak leaf wreath, symbolizing history.

A 247-step stairway leads to a platform on top of the tower, that offers a panoramic view over the Kyffhäuser range to the Harz mountains in the north and down to the Thuringian Forest in the south.