Baudouin I, public sculpture by Josiane Vanhoutte in Oostende, Belgium
Baudouin I is a bronze statue of the king placed on the Zeedijk promenade in Ostend and unveiled in the year 2000. The sculpture was created by artist Josyane Vanhoutte and shows the monarch standing upright in a formal suit, facing toward the sea and the busy waterfront.
The king took the throne in 1951 at just twenty-one years old after his father, King Leopold III, stepped down. This monument was placed after his passing to honor his decades of service and his role in shaping the nation during his reign.
The name of the king remains connected to Belgian identity, and locals and visitors use this statue as a place to remember and reflect on the nation's past. People often pause here to think about history or leave flowers at the base of the monument.
This statue is located on the Zeedijk, an easily accessible promenade with shops and cafes nearby, making it a natural stop for people walking through the city. The open space around it allows visitors to stand, photograph, or pause for reflection without obstruction.
The statue was inaugurated in the year 2000 with Queen Fabiola present at the ceremony, making it a notable moment for those who admired the king. The bronze material gradually develops a natural patina over time, giving the sculpture a deeper character as it blends with the seaside setting.
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