Counts of Egmont and Horn, Monument and fountain in Petit Sablon square, Brussels, Belgium.
The Counts of Egmont and Horn is a bronze statue on a stone pedestal in the middle of Petit Sablon square, surrounded by a fountain with water features. The figures stand upright on their base while water flows around the structure, giving the site a dynamic quality.
Sculptor Charles Auguste Fraikin created this statue in 1864 to honor two nobles who were executed in 1568 for resisting Spanish rule. The monument stands in a location that matters for the history of the Low Countries and Belgium's path toward independence.
These two nobles defended local rights against outside control, and their monument shows this resistance in a way visitors today can still understand. The work reminds people of those who stood for their beliefs, something many visitors notice while crossing the square.
The square is freely accessible and can be visited any time, with the central location easy to find and many paths crossing through it. Nearby are other attractions, cafes, and shops, making it simple to explore several destinations in one day.
The fountain water creates symmetric patterns around the bronze figures, giving the monument a calming visual effect. This blend of statues and flowing water makes the spot a place to linger, not just pass by.
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