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National War Memorial Aalst

National War Memorial Aalst

Highlight • Monument

National War Memorial Aalst

Recommended by 10 hikers out of 11

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Location: East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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Best Hikes to National War Memorial Aalst

4.8

(30)

173

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1. Belfry and District House – Spiegelvijver loop from Aalst

14.1km

03:36

40m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

4.6

(5)

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2. Belfry and District House – Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 loop from Aalst

16.3km

04:10

50m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3.8

(4)

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3. Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 – Dirk Martens loop from Aalst-Kerrebroek

12.9km

03:17

40m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

March 7, 2022

The military war memorial 'Old pupils, the Troop children and army pupils' was erected on the Graanmarkt, opposite the entrance of the former Pupil School in Aalst, where boys received military training until the 1960s.

This monument was also erected on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the school's existence. Compared to an average commemorative sign, the statue is much larger. A special national committee was therefore established at the beginning of 1921, which was responsible for the construction of the memorial.

The statue was inaugurated on July 23, 1922 by Prince Leopold. The great fuss in the newspaper that accompanied this ceremony went down the wrong way with the Flemish-minded and socialists. They thought the decorations and flags "to glorify the unsaturated militaristic monster" were too expensive.

The current surrounding semicircular greenery and flowerbed is not authentic. According to old postcards, the monument was originally demarcated with an iron chain between posts, which were shaped like shells.

Source: inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/212435

Translated by Google •

Viviane

October 1, 2025

On Graanmarkt, opposite the entrance to the former Pupillenschool, stands the impressive war memorial for alumni, troop children, and army pupils. The monument was erected to commemorate the school's 75th anniversary and was officially inaugurated on July 23, 1922, by Prince Leopold.

Unlike many other memorials, this one was designed on a grand scale, thanks in part to a specially established national committee. The unveiling was accompanied by fierce reactions in the press at the time: while some were proud of the tribute, others criticized the "militaristic display."

Originally, the monument was surrounded by an iron chain between posts shaped like shells. Today, it stands within a semicircular flowerbed, giving it a prominent place in the cityscape.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 50 m

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Wednesday 29 October

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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

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Location: East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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National War Memorial Aalst

1. Belfry and District House – Spiegelvijver loop from Aalst

2. Belfry and District House – Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 loop from Aalst

3. Aalst City Park 1915 - 1916 – Dirk Martens loop from Aalst-Kerrebroek

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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