LA COLONNE DU CONGRÈS - BRUXELLES.

A design 0f the Belgian architect Joseph Poelaert is the 'La Colonne du Congrès' aka the 'Congreskolom' in rue Royale in Bruxelles. It commemorates the creation of the Belgian state and its Constitution by the National Congress between 1830-1831. It is based on Trajan's Column in Rome.

The project was ten years in the making. It began in September 1850 and was not opened until September 1859. It is on a site that overlooks the city called la Place des Panoramas created in 1848-1857 by the architect J-P Cluysenaar.

It is 47 metres high and is surmounted by a statue of Leopold I (4.7 metres high) created by Guillaune Geefs.

At one time you could go inside and climb the 197 steps to get a really panoramic view of the city of Brussels.

At its base there are four female figures that represent the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution: the freedoms of religion (Eugène Simonis ), of association (C.-A. Fraikin) , of education and the press (both by Jean Geefs). There are two gigantic lions as well created by Eugène Simonis.

The title of the monument refers to the "Congrès National" of 1830 that outlined the principles of the Constitution. The names of the the 237 members of the Congrès are engraved on the base.

In 1922 a tomb of an "Unknown Soldier" was created at its base as well to remember those that had fallen in World War I. A plaque was added there as well after WWII. The commemorative function of the monument has changed and developed over the years!

Love the carriages and those lamps - the 'réverbères. One of the lamps has a St Michael at its top. St Michael is one of the Patron Saints of Brussels. I suppose the other should be ........ ?