Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Mechelen

Lier

The Sheep Heads Monument

Discover

Places to see

Belgium

Flanders

Antwerp

Mechelen

Lier

The Sheep Heads Monument

Recommended by 44 hikers out of 47

Save

Location: Lier, Mechelen, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Hikes here

Best Hikes to The Sheep Heads Monument

4.6

(46)

452

hikers

1. Groot Spui (Lock House) Lier – Beguinage Lier loop from Koningshooikt

5.89km

01:29

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.5

(26)

134

hikers

2. Beguinage Lier – Zimmertoren loop from Koningshooikt

9.01km

02:17

20m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.3

(20)

147

hikers

3. Zimmertoren – St. Gummarus Church Lier loop from Koningshooikt

7.25km

01:50

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

Viviane

April 10, 2022

THE HISTORY OF THE SHEEPHEAD MONUMENT (RETRO – 73)

The Sheep Heads Monument by the Lier artist Bertro has been an integral part of the Lier cityscape for years. He managed to immortalize the nickname of the Lierenaars in an artistic way. It was solemnly inaugurated at Schapekoppenplein on Saturday 20 June 1992 – 28 years ago in the meantime.

Bertro – alias Robert Schoofs – is a versatile artist. The creation of the Sheep Heads Monument had a short history. In the spring of 1991 he exhibited a group of sculptures with a shepherd, a shepherd's wife and a few goats in the garden of De Locht in Duffel. The many positive reactions stimulated him in the direction of the creation of sheep, the symbol for the nickname of the people of Lieren. The first images were exhibited for a short period in the garden of the Municipal Academy of Music, Word and Dance and were also widely admired here. The final sculpture group near the Zimmertoren includes a shepherd – for which Wim Van Gelder stood as a model –, 15 sheep – including a black sheep – a ram and a dog. All the statues are made of durable copper and should stand the test of time.

((Source: Lier Belicht)

Translated by Google •

Anne&Nera

April 10, 2022

An artistic eye-catcher that symbolizes the people of Lieren

Translated by Google •

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

July 16, 2025

This monument is a nod to the past and the nickname of the people of Lier.

Where does the name 'De Schapenkoppen' (Sheep's Heads) come from?

According to legend, the name "Schepenkoppen" (sheep's heads) originated in the 14th century. Duke John II, Duke of Brabant and Limburg, wanted to thank the people of Lier for their contribution to the fight against the people of Mechelen. They were given a choice of two rewards for the city: a university or a cattle market.

The people of Lier chose the staple rights to cattle. A choice that proved beneficial for Lier, as only one city per region was granted such a right. Promptly, the cattle market, which had previously been located in Wespelaar, was moved to Lier on the Duke's orders. Duke John II is said to have sighed at the occasion: "Oh, those sheep's heads."

The university, the reward Lier had neglected, eventually went to Leuven. This made Leuven the first university in the Low Countries in 1425.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 0 m

Weather

Monday 15 September

20°C

14°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Lier, Mechelen, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

The Sheep Heads Monument

1. Groot Spui (Lock House) Lier – Beguinage Lier loop from Koningshooikt

2. Beguinage Lier – Zimmertoren loop from Koningshooikt

3. Zimmertoren – St. Gummarus Church Lier loop from Koningshooikt

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️