Sint-Joris en de draak, War memorial at Martinikerkhof, Groningen, Netherlands
Sint-Joris en de draak is a bronze statue at Martinikerkhof showing Saint George holding a sword inscribed with Justice, Freedom, and Peace. The figure stands on a sandstone base featuring a dragon relief, positioning the monument near Martinitoren in Groningen's city center.
Artist Ludwig Oswald Wenckebach created this monument in response to destruction and resistance during World War II. It was dedicated in 1959 as a commemoration of the Netherlands' triumph over Nazi occupation and the restoration of freedom.
Saint George embodies the ideals of justice and freedom that were defended against tyranny, making this figure speak to visitors as a symbol of values that extend beyond a single moment in time. The monument connects personal sacrifice with universal principles that remain meaningful today.
The monument sits on Martinikerkhof, an open square behind the historic Martinitoren, easily reached on foot from the city center. The site is freely accessible and visible from several angles, allowing you to observe the work's details from different viewpoints.
Unlike traditional portrayals, George appears here with a bowed head and exhausted body rather than a triumphal pose. This unusual posture conveys the human effort and cost of victory rather than empty glorification.
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