“Did you know this statue honors King Albert I of Belgium?” The Rei Alberto I da B\u00e9lgica Statue stands proudly before us. It’s a tribute to a remarkable king who visited Rio de Janeiro a century ago. King Albert I wasn’t your typical monarch. They called him the “Hero King” and the “Soldier King”. He bravely defended Belgium against German aggression during World War I. His famous words in 1914 “Belgium is a nation not a road” echoed his defiance. He resisted the German Kaiser’s attempt to use Belgium as a pathway to France.
King Albert I’s visit to Rio in 1920 was historic. He was the first European monarch to visit Brazil since the Bragança dynasty. He came with his wife Queen Elisabeth. They were warmly received by the Cariocas. Newspapers described the welcome as an “apotheosis of delirium”. The streets were filled with people charmed by the royal couple’s display of tradition and pomp. It was a glimpse of the Belle Époque in the roaring twenties.
Queen Elisabeth was admired for her simplicity and kindness. She worked as a nurse during World War I and championed arts and education. The royal couple’s popularity soared. They toured Rio visiting iconic landmarks like Corcovado Sugarloaf Mountain the Botanical Garden and the National Museum. They even explored Tijuca Forest. King Albert I famously climbed Pico da Tijuca using a pickaxe and ropes instead of the stone staircase President Epitácio Pessoa had built.
They were early adopters of Rio’s beach culture. They swam in Copacabana every morning. This helped to change the Carioca’s view of the beach. It was no longer just for medicinal purposes or picnics. The couple’s daily swims contributed to its transformation into a place for leisure and fun. They showed remarkable simplicity and approachability. They made friends with ordinary people. They even distributed awards and donations to those who served them. Some of those awards remain in Carioca families’ possession today.
King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth left an indelible mark on Rio. They were granted honorary Carioca citizenship. They embodied old-world values yet embraced the Carioca lifestyle. They exemplified simplicity friendliness and a love for the beach. The Rei Alberto I da B\u00e9lgica Statue is a fitting tribute to their memorable visit. It serves as a reminder of the bond between Belgium and Brazil a bond that continues to thrive.