Overview:

Lion's Mound is an artificial hill in the Waterloo region of Belgium, created in honor of the French Army's victory over the allied forces at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. The mound stands 81 feet (27 metres) tall and forms a 26-acre (111,000 sq m) landscape of rolling terrain. The base of the mound is 260 feet (79 metres) in diameter and its slope is modeled after the terrain of the battlefield. On the top of the mound is a 12 foot (3.6 metre) bronze lion sculpture created by the French sculptor David d'Angers between 1823 and 1826. The mound has panoramic views of the surrounding area and is a popular tourist attraction. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belgium
Prominent Features:

The Lion’s Mound in Waterloo, Belgium is a monument dedicated to the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. It is a huge artificial hill topped with a 20 meter tall bronze lion, situated close to the site of the famous battle which saw Napoleon’s forces defeated by the Allied army. The mound is 118 meters in circumference, 38 meters in height and 117 meters in width. It was built in 1820 to serve as a memorial to the Duke of Wellington. Visitors to the site can enjoy spectacular views from the mound, as well as the distinctive sight of the bronze lion which stands proud on top. The area around the mound is a great place to wander and explore; the site includes reconstructed barracks and elevated pathways that offer a panoramic view of the entire area. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belgium.

History:

The Lion's Mound, also known as the Butte du Lion, is an artificial hill located in the near of Waterloo, Belgium. It was built between 1820 and 1826 to commemorate the achievements of the Duke of Wellington and the Allied forces during the 1815 Battle of Waterloo. The area is now part of a 135-hectare Battlefield Memorial Park. In 2011, the UNESCO World Heritage Site extended its scope to include both the battlefield and the Lion’s Mound. The mound stands some 86 meters high and is the highest artificial hill in Belgium. It was designed by Belgium’s first King, William I, who named it after the mythological Nemean lion. As a tribute to the Duke of Wellington, the mound is crowned with a nine-meter-high stone lion statue, sculpted by Louis Jéhotte. The monument also features two arcades, where orange trees are planted and decorated with busts of illustrious French and Prussian generals. The interior of the monument is filled with sand, making it look like a crater. In the center of the monument a marble obelisk made from pieces of columns of a former palace is situated. The Lion's Mound was inaugurated in 1826 on the 11th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries, including the Duke of Wellington himself. Since then, the site has become a favorite spot for tourists who come to the area to visit the permanent museum and war memorials. Many locals also come here to enjoy the panoramic view from the top of the mound – on a clear day, the view extends to the Netherlands and Germany. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belgium with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Lion’s Mound is a monument located outside of Waterloo, Belgium. It was commissioned by William I of the Netherlands to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo, and was constructed between 1820 and 1826. 2. The 12-meter high mound is shaped like a lion, and is topped by a 5-meter high bronze lion sculpture. It symbolizes the bravery of the soldiers who fought and died in the battle. 3. It took 26,000 tons of soil to form the mound, and the interior of the mound is filled with bricks made of limestone which was found near the battlefield. 4. At the foot of the lion, a stone plinth is dedicated to the memory of the fallen soldiers. 5. In 2007, the Lion’s Mound was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the historical monuments of Belgium, it tells the story of a bygone era