Polar Bear

The Polar Bear is a marble memorial featuring a column topped with a polar bear figure in dynamic motion at a street intersection. The sculpture was designed by artist Joop Vlak and stands as a stone testament at a central location in the city.

The memorial was erected in 1960 to honor the British 49th Infantry Division, known as the Polar Bears. This division played a key role in liberating the Netherlands during the Second World War.

The monument takes its name from a famous British infantry division that earned this nickname during World War II. Visitors recognize the polar bear figure as a symbol connecting a distant military unit to the Netherlands' liberation.

The memorial stands at an easily accessible street corner in central Roosendaal and is reachable on foot. Its open-air location means it can be visited at any time without special access requirements.

The polar bear unit earned its nickname because it trained in Iceland, a harsh and cold terrain, before being sent to Western Europe. This northern connection is unusual for a liberation memorial in the Netherlands.

Location: Roosendaal

Inception: 1960

Creator: Joop Vlak

Official opening: 1960

Address: Kade, 4703 GA, Roosendaal (Roosendaal), Noord-Brabant, Nederland

GPS coordinates: 51.53430,4.45007

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00