Original: Construction for the 53.46 m ( 173.39 ft ) tall statue was started in 1841 , but not completed until 1875 with the help of substantial funds from the state of Prussia . It was built according to plans by the sculptor Ernst von Bandel .
Simplified: The monument is 53.46 m ( 173.39 ft ) tall and was built according to plans by the sculptor Ernst von Bandel .