Piet Heyn statue, Bronze naval monument in Delfshaven, Netherlands.
The Piet Heyn statue is a bronze figure of a naval commander displayed in Rotterdam. The monument depicts the subject in full military bearing with staff and sword, positioned beside a cannon on a tall stone base.
The memorial was unveiled by King Willem III in 1870 after citizens demanded a lasting tribute to their local hero. The push for a permanent monument arose when a temporary creation had captured public imagination years earlier.
The statue honors a renowned naval commander whose name became synonymous with Dutch maritime triumphs against foreign powers. Visitors encounter here a symbol of local pride that has inspired admiration across generations.
The monument sits on Piet Heynsplein in the Delfshaven neighborhood, a central location easily reached on foot. The square surrounding it offers plenty of room for viewing and photographing from different angles.
The statue owes its existence to a melting snow sculpture that artists had created as a temporary tribute to the naval commander. The temporary work generated such strong public response that residents pushed for a permanent replacement in bronze.
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