THE 10 BEST Brussels Monuments & Statues
Monuments & Statues in Brussels
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Monuments & Statues
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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Monuments & Statues • Fountains
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
What travelers are saying
- Thomas VOakland, CA16,380 contributionsYou will find crowds of tourists here snapping photos of this very small fountain sculpture. It is one of the iconic images of the city, a bit cheeky to be sure. But I did not find it interesting or attractive. And the crowds are rough.Written December 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- nam p52 contributionsExactly like in the pictutr but much much more smaller than I thought. Just a small statue in a small corner in the centre of Brussels. And it's not that beautiful.Written July 3, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- A Midlife AdventureDursley, UK1,313 contributionsAnother curiosity of Belgian tourism but if you are going to visit the peeing boy and the Grand Place you will likely pass this statue by en route. Rubbing his arm, hence the discolouration, is suppose to bring good luck. Who cares if it’s true or not, you are likely on holiday so just play along!Written May 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sweatmaStow6 contributionsI’m glad to have the request to review this, since it should help other travelers.
I was struck (not at the stroke of midnight)or noon) by the beauty of the clock on the building and so fascinated to see the figurines come out, that I kept trying to align my visit to be in front of it when I heard the bells chime. I asked locals, who didn’t seem to know, and googled for information until I finally got the information, that there is no longer any movement, but sound only, every 15 minutes.
Although Trip advisor reviews had mentioned the experience being worth while, I got the answer on a website: theurgetowander.com that my efforts to see the figurines move was going to be futile.Written June 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Thomas VOakland, CA16,380 contributionsKids may like this, especially if they are smurf fans. It is located just outside the Grand Place tourist area. Appropriate in this city full of cartoon images.Written May 6, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dimitris LSydney, Australia44,486 contributionsDe Vaartkapoen is a funny statue, erected in 1985, and Brussels abounds in such statues. Apparently this one has its origins in the workers in the docks who, long ago, rose in strong protests against the government. The person who appears from the sewer opening on the footpath, just behind the policeman, is a "vaartkapoen" ("rogue channel" in Dutch).
"De Vaartkapoen" literally means "channel rascal" (from "vaart" meaning canal and "kapoen" meaning rascal in Dutch. "Vaartkapoen" is also the name given to people born in the Molenbeek suburb in the first half of the 20th century.Written January 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - KufundaHarare, Zimbabwe356 contributionsAlthough very tall, this 25-metre monument with Leopold 1 at the top could be missed since it is tucked away behind the surrounding grand buildings. It is next to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with its impressive sculptures of lions and maidens. Behind the column is a panoramic view of the city with numerous towers and a distant wind farm. Well worth a visit.Written September 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Thomas VOakland, CA16,380 contributionsThese big arches lead your way into the big city park. They really grab your vision as they are immense. Built to honor an anniversary.Written May 7, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Hannelore HUnited Kingdom245 contributionsLovely statue in a lovely atmospheric place, gives a nice feel of the town with all the surrounding buildings.Written April 27, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BradJillHong Kong, China159,149 contributionsThe Belgian Infantry Memorial stands on the elevated platform just in front of Grande Roue (ferris wheel) at Place Poelaert in Brussels. This monument was designed by Belgian sculptor Edouard Vereycken and commemorates Belgian infantry who served and died in WWI and WWII.
What you see is a Cenotaph monument with underground empty tomb, topped by a golden crown. There is a bronze of a winged angel flanked on both sides by Belgian infantry, horse, dog and equipment. It is fine monument worth a look-see if visiting Place Poelaert during visits to Brussels.Written March 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradJillHong Kong, China159,149 contributionsLa Chatte à Bicyclette (The Cat on a Bicycle) is one of Brussel's quirky sculptures installed along Rue de l'Ecuyer just outside Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. This is the work of French sculptor Alain Sechas (2005) and depicts a cartoon like female cat with female human form, wearing a pink top and black shorts taking pause from a bike ride. It is an fun sculpture to see when passing through the area.Written November 9, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- BradJillHong Kong, China159,149 contributionsThis equestrian statue of legendary crusader Godefroy de Bouillon is located at the centre of Place Royale in front of the Eglise Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg. This is the work of Belgian sculptor Louis Eugene Simonis and was erected in 1848.
What you see is Godefroy crowned and in military attire, holding a flag while on horseback, setting off for towards Jerusalem for the first crusade. The monument stands upon a grand plinth and pedestal with impressive bronze bas reliefs. It is a fine monument to view before or after your museum visits across the square or when passing through this area of the city.Written November 16, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TrainbleuBrussels, Belgium28,720 contributionsThis huge bronze sculpture group on Place d'Espagne is often overlooked although it’s worth a look, especially for travellers who haven’t been to Madrid. It represents would-be knight Don Quixote on his horse, followed by his faithful servant Sancho Panza on a donkey. The sculpture is a replica of the work of Spanish sculptor Lorenzo Coullaut Valera (1876 - 1932) on Plaza de España in Madrid. But in Madrid the two figures are only part of a truly gigantic monument to Spain’s beloved writer Miguel de Cervantes (1547 –1616).
The monument in Brussels is a present of the city of Madrid and was erected in 1989 when Spain held the rotating presidency of the European Union from January to July. For a truly Brussels experience, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are to be admired to the sound of Jacques Brel singing ‘L’Homme de la Mancha’ in your headphones.Written August 11, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TrainbleuBrussels, Belgium28,720 contributionsThe location of the equestrian statue of King Albert I of Belgium, at the bottom of the Mont des Arts stairs, is truly excellent. Whether you are looking ‘upstairs’ towards the Church of St James (Eglise Saint Jacques sur Coudenberg) or down, towards Grand Place, the backdrop is gorgeous and makes for nice pictures. Albert I (1875 - 1934), king of the Belgians (1909–34), ‘the Soldier King’, was well-loved for his refusal to grant German troops free passage across Belgium in 1914 and for remaining with his troops who had retreated behind the Yser river while the rest of Belgium was occupied by he Germans. No wonder his memory has been honoured with a statue, often an equestran statue, a bust of a plaque in many cities. Several are listed on Tripadvisor under a confusing variety of names: Bronze equestrian statue of King Albert I of Belgium (Ghent), King Albert I Memorial (Nieuwpoort), Statue Of King Albert I (Bruges), Statue équestre du Roi Albert 1er (Liège), Statue équestre d’Albert 1 er (Cours de la Reine, Paris). Strangely enough, the one in Namur, close to Marche-les-Dames, where the King fell to his death while rock climbing in 1934, is not listed. We remember seeing a bust of Albert I in Metz (France) and in Charleroi, Leuven and Tournai in Belgium. There are probably more, but few are listed on Tripadvisor.
The bronze in Brussels, installed in 1951, is the work of sculptor Alfred Courtens (1889 – 1967), who crafted a large number of war memorials. The high bluestone plinth was designed by architect Jules Ghobert. As far as equestrian statues go, the statue of King Albert is rather traditional. The King is sitting upright on his horse, looking straight ahead. He is wearing a military coat and a sword and is carrying his helmet in his hand, leaving him bare-headed. Calm and competent.Written January 22, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Martin_RidgwayGreater London, UK229 contributionsThis is the old Marchands basin of the old docks, now filled in but not built on, which leaves us with a huge (and very long) open space, but with a sort of pond at one end and a monument to Jules Anspach, who was one of the leaders in renovating the area when the river and docks were covered over (OK, I had to look that up on Wikipedia!!). That's at one end of this area and St Catherine's is at the other, so it's a pretty spectacular space.Written September 17, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brussels
- These places are best for monuments & statues in Brussels:
- Fontein La Cabosse
- Monument aux Forains
- Jean-Claude Van Damme Statue
- Maison des Arts de Schaerbeek
- Bust of Edmond Thieffry
- These are the best places for kid-friendly monuments & statues in Brussels:
- Manneken Pis
- Carillon du Mont des Arts
- Monument à Éverard t'Serclaes
- Smurf Statue
- Arcades du Cinquantenaire
- These are the best places for budget-friendly monuments & statues in Brussels:See more budget-friendly monuments & statues in Brussels on Tripadvisor