Pro Patria (City of Brussels)

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The strict emptiness of the square was broken in 1838 by the placement of the national monument Pro Patria. It was designed by the sculptor Willem Geefs and the architect Louis Roelandt (1783-1864). At the top, a woman representing Liberty adds the September days to her book. At her feet, a lion rests on the broken chains of slavery. Against the pedestal, four angels symbolize Struggle, Victory, Martyrdom and Hope. Even lower are four bas-reliefs with scenes from the September days: the patriots' oath on the Grote Markt, the attack on the Warandepark ordered by Juan Van Halen, the blessing of the graves by the saint of Gudula and the coronation of the heroes through Belgium. The underground crypt contains 27 black marble memorial plaques bearing the names of 467 fallen heroes.