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Ville De Bruxelles - Stad Brussel

Congress Column and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Ville De Bruxelles - Stad Brussel

Congress Column and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Highlight • Monument

Congress Column and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Name: Congress Column and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Rating: 2

Recommended by 28 hikers

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Location: Ville De Bruxelles - Stad Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

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1. Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert – Hôtel de ville de Bruxelles loop from De Brouckère

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2. Brussels Town Hall – Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert loop from Anneessens

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3. Church Notre Dame du Sablon – Brussels Town Hall loop from De Brouckère

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Tips

🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

November 2, 2024

At this location, you are standing in front of the Congress Column and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Historical context:
The Congress Column, erected in 1850, is a Belgian monument par excellence. It was erected in honour of the first National Congress, as a confirmation of the young Belgian Nation. Joseph Poelaert was the architect of this prestigious monument.

The column tells us about Belgian history from September 1830 to July 1831. On the lower part of the pedestal, you can see the carved names of the citizens who formed the provisional government.

On the front of the pedestal, the 27 articles are carved in which the great principles of the Constitution are laid down.

The mouldings above the garlands, between the bronze statues, recall the most important events of the Revolution. On the corners of the pedestal are four bronze figures, 3.5 m high, representing the fundamental freedoms: Freedom of Worship, Freedom of Association, Freedom of Education and Freedom of the Press. Immediately above them is a list with the coats of arms of the country and the provinces at the time, decorated with laurel branches.

An energetic force emanates from the bronze lions on the pedestal. The Buildings Agency restored these statues in 1997.

At 4.70 metres high, the statue of King Leopold I exudes the calm and dignity of a monarch. In 1991, it was restored by the Agency together with the top of the Congress Column. It is mainly the capital that gives the column its elegance. The frieze is decorated with elegant foliage; on its four sides are depicted Wisdom, Strength, Immortality and Glory. The pedestal above the capital, which houses the bronze staircase door with coat of arms, is decorated with palmettes and other ornaments, above which a crown is sculpted.

A staircase with 200 steps leads to the upper part of the capital. For safety reasons, the column is not accessible to the public.

Source: regiedergebouwen.be/nl/projects/de-congreskolom

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 60 m

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Friday 7 November

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Location: Ville De Bruxelles - Stad Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

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Congress Column and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert – Hôtel de ville de Bruxelles loop from De Brouckère

2. Brussels Town Hall – Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert loop from Anneessens

3. Church Notre Dame du Sablon – Brussels Town Hall loop from De Brouckère

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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