The Battle of the Nations was a landmark event in Leipzig’s history, in which a coalition of forces from Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden defeated Napoleon’s army, resulting in disaster for France and the loss of the French empire’s presence east of the Rhine. This historic battle, which took place in 1813, is commemorated in an imposing monument, now one of Leipzig’s top tourist attractions. In 1497, Emperor Maximilian I granted the town imperial trade fair rights. In 1507, he granted the ''Stapelrecht,'' handling rights which forced passing traders to sell their goods in the town. That began Leipzig’s reputation as a trading hub: It’s still known for its trade fairs.