Monument Schelde Vrij, Maritime memorial in Marnixplaats, Belgium

Monument Schelde Vrij is a 20-metre memorial on Marnixplaats, designed by Jean-Jacques Winders and completed in 1883. A square base with water-god masks and inscribed medallions carries an obelisk where a nude woman writes "1863 Schelde vrij"; above stands a 7-metre group of Neptune, Mercury and the city maiden. The shaft bears the gold lettering "Schelde Vrij" and is flanked by seated lions.

The Scheldt was closed in 1587 by the Dutch Republic during the Eighty Years' War. In 1863 the Belgian government bought off the last Scheldt toll, ending the closure. Antwerp held a design competition in 1873; Jean-Jacques Winders won among 12 entries. Technical problems delayed completion until 1883, and the wrought-iron fence followed a year later.

The monument's name, Schelde Vrij ("Scheldt Free"), recalls the 1863 end of the Scheldt closure. On the obelisk a nude female figure writes "1863 Schelde vrij", and the four sides of the square base carry medallions naming minister Karel Rogier, baron Auguste Lambermont, mayor Filips van Marnix van Sint-Aldegonde and the city of Antwerp's own 1883 dedication.

The memorial sits at a central junction where major streets meet, making it easy to reach on foot from different parts of the city. The surrounding plaza provides ample space to view the entire structure and its sculptural details from various angles.

The monument was meant to stand on Marnixplaats in 1874, but technical problems delayed completion until 1883; the wrought-iron fence followed a year later. Architect Jean-Jacques Winders wanted the surrounding district built in neo-Flemish Renaissance style, but lack of funds to buy the land left the square neoclassical.