Statue de la Brabançonne, National memorial statue in Pentagon District, Belgium
The Statue of the Brabançonne is a bronze monument in the Pentagon District of Brussels showing a young woman holding a Belgian flag with a lion and singing. The sculpture sits on a bluestone base designed by René Gillion, who integrated inscriptions commemorating Belgium's cultural identity.
The monument was built in 1930 to mark the centenary of Belgian independence. It followed a temporary plaster version placed on Grand Place after World War I, marking a shift toward permanent public commemoration in Brussels.
The monument represents the Brabançonne, Belgium's national anthem, with verses in national languages carved into its bluestone base. Visitors can see how this space serves as a place where people pause to acknowledge Belgium's cultural pride.
The monument sits on Surlet de Chokier Square near Madou metro station, making it accessible by public transport. The square occupies a central location in the Pentagon District and is an easy walk from Brussels' main areas.
The monument is the only permanent bronze version among eight statues built in 1918 to celebrate the royal return. The other versions were temporary and later removed, making this the rare survivor from an intense celebratory period in Brussels history.
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