Petrus Donders, Bronze statue in Wilhelminapark, Tilburg, Netherlands
Petrus Donders is a five-meter-tall bronze statue standing on a stone pedestal, depicting the figure holding a cross with his hand placed on a kneeling person. The pedestal is made from Euville stone and carries the Tilburg coat of arms on one side and a ship motif on the other.
Sculptor Johannes Petrus Maas created this monument in 1926 to honor Petrus Donders, who devoted his life to caring for people with leprosy in Suriname. The work was completed during a time when Tilburg was celebrating its connection to missionary work overseas.
The monument reflects Tilburg's strong Catholic missionary heritage, with local coat of arms decorations and a ship relief that reference the connection to Suriname. These symbols speak to how deeply the city values this spiritual legacy.
The statue stands at the edge of Wilhelminapark and is easy to reach, with clear views from the surrounding paths. Nearby you will find the church where Donders held his first mass and his birthplace, making it possible to walk between these connected sites.
The bronze figure shows an uncommon scene: Donders places his hand compassionately on a kneeling person rather than blessing from above. This gesture emphasizes his message of humility and human closeness, reflecting his approach to missionary work.
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