Battle of the Bulge Monument

The Mardasson Memorial is a five-pointed American star, with each side spanning 31 meters and rising 12 meters above an inner courtyard. The solid structure encloses an underground crypt area below its central space.

The monument honors approximately 76,890 American soldiers who died or were wounded during the Ardennes Counteroffensive between December 1944 and January 1945. This battle was one of the largest conflicts of World War II in Western Europe.

The memorial displays the names of all 48 American states as they stood in 1950, inscribed in bronze along the parapet. These names connect the entire nation to this place of remembrance.

A spiral staircase leads to an observation platform with views over the former battlefield. The site is accessible year-round and features information boards about the events that took place here.

Beneath the monument lies a crypt with three altars for Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish services. The walls feature mosaic decorations created by French artist Fernand Léger.

Location: Bastogne

Inception: July 4, 1946

Architects: Georges Dedoyard

Creator: Fernand Léger

Official opening: July 16, 1950

GPS coordinates: 50.00935,5.73897

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40