Gedenknaald Scheveningen, Memorial obelisk at Zeekant street in Scheveningen, Netherlands.
The Gedenknaald is a stone obelisk on Zeekant street in Scheveningen that rises about 14 meters (46 feet) high and dominates the harbor district. The structure stands right by the sea and forms a striking landmark in the flat coastal landscape.
The monument was erected in 1865 to honor the liberation of the Netherlands after two decades of French occupation. Its construction marked the end of a period of foreign rule and symbolized the country's recovered independence.
The obelisk served as a gathering place where people came together to celebrate the prince's return and affirm their sense of national identity. Today it remains a symbol of how Dutch people mark their history within their everyday landscape.
The obelisk sits right along the seafront promenade and is easy to reach on foot from central Scheveningen. Visitors should be aware that the location can be splashed by spray during high tides, especially in stormy weather.
The monument was designed by two leading architects of the era, both later renowned for numerous other important public structures. This collaboration between the two masters produced a design that appears graceful and balanced despite its considerable height.
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