Overlooking the city center the equestrian statue of Albert I stands tall. It is a bronze sculpture erected in memory of King Albert I. He was the third King of the Belgians. The statue is on the Place de l’Albertine. It marks where the Mont des Arts joins the Boulevard de l’Empereur. The Royal Library of Belgium is only a few meters away.
King Albert I’s accidental death in 1934 stirred strong emotions in Belgium. Many cities wanted to honor him. In Brussels people debated how to best pay tribute. Should it be a monument an architectural feature or urban development? Ultimately they chose a classical sculpture.
Alfred Courtens created the equestrian statue of Albert I. He submitted his first design in 1943. It was a 1.5 meters model. The design was revised and approved in 1946. World War II and material shortages delayed construction. Finally in 1951 the bronze sculpture was installed. The Compagnie des Bronzes de Bruxelles cast it. The statue was brought to the site in three parts for easier transport. These were the horse’s body its head and the king’s effigy. Jules Ghobert designed the pedestal. He was also an architect of the Royal Library.
The statue is an imposing bronze equestrian figure. It stands high on a pedestal made of blue stone blocks. Albert I is depicted as a soldier king. He wears a military coat and holds a helmet. Courtens chose to depict him bareheaded. He feared a helmet’s shadow would obscure the king’s face.
The monument is part of a larger project. This includes the Mont des Arts and the Royal Library of Belgium. It is dedicated to Albert I. It is nicknamed Albertine in French or Albertina in Dutch. However the library’s first stone was laid three years after the statue’s inauguration.
King Albert I reigned from 1909 to 1934. This period was eventful for Belgium. During World War I 90 percent of Belgium was overrun by Germans. Because of his active role in the war he was called the King Soldier. Throughout the war King Albert I stayed with his soldiers near the trenches. He effectively commanded the Belgian armed forces. He often stayed a few kilometers from the front in De Panne.
Across the street from the Albert I Stone is a statue of Queen Elisabeth. She cared for wounded soldiers during World War I. She was often seen in a nurse’s uniform. Belgian soldiers called her the queen nurse.
Skateboarders often play at the feet of Albert I. A bronze plaque shows the dates 1915 to 1995. It commemorates the 80 years since the military decoration was established. The Albert I Stone is more than a statue. It is a symbol of courage leadership and remembrance. It reminds us of a king who stood by his people.