Statue du Roi Albert 1er — Attraction in Brussels

The imposing bronze equestrian statue is placed high on a plinth made of blocks of blue stone, dominating the town centre. Albert I is represented there in a classic way as a soldier king wearing the military coat and holding a helmet in his hand. The style is reminiscent of that of the equestrian statue of Leopold II, Place du Trône, whose author Thomas Vinçotte was Alfred Courtens's teacher.

The sculptor justifies the choice to represent his model bareheaded by the fear that the shadow of the helmet will hide his face. The monument is part of an overall project including the Mont des Arts and the Royal Library of Belgium, dedicated to Albert I and nicknamed the Albertine (today KBR), the first stone of which will however only be laid three years after the inauguration of the statue.

The accidental death of Albert I in 1934 aroused great emotion. Many cities plan to pay homage to him. In Brussels, the form that this tribute will take, monument or architectural or urban development, is subject to discussion. It is ultimately the classic and traditional option of sculpture that wins out.

Before the inauguration it will take many more years and many debates concerning the type of sculpture, standing or equestrian statue, the choice of the sculptor and the location of the monument. This last point was called into question when it was decided to combine the location of the monument with that of the new library, for which several places were envisaged, including the old Botanical Garden, or a new one which would be located between the Congress Column and Martyrs Square.

Alfred Courtens' first project in the form of a 1.5m model was submitted in 1943, then revised and finally approved in 1946. The war and the lack of materials further delayed the construction of the monument. Finally, in 1951 the sculpture cast by the Compagnie des Bronzes was brought to the site in three parts to facilitate transport (the body of the horse, its head, and the effigy of the king) and placed on the base designed by Jules Ghobert, one of the architects of...

This statue stands in tribute to King Albert I of Belgium, who reigned in Belgium before, during and after the First World War. He is noted for having a more liberal view than his predecessor of ruling the then colony of Congo, for the introduction of universal (male) suffrage and for prescience in advocating against imposing harsh terms against Germany.

The statue can be located on the 1 terrace of the steps on Mont des Arts. It’s a fairly typical equestrian statue which depicts the king in a very peaceful pose without any hint of martial expression except for the ceremonial sword on the left of his buckle. There’s a nice sense of motion about the statue as his horse is depicted moving forward at...

It's really a shame that this statue is barely maintained. It could look so nice, especially with Mont des Arts behind it. Unfortunately, the area around it is littered with trash, spilled drinks, and waste. It's as if the city does not care for one of its best statues. Regardless, you'll probably pass it on your way to Mont des Arts so take a picture...