statue of Lamoral, Count of Egmont

The statue of Lamoral, Count of Egmont in Zottegem is one of the best-known landmarks of this town in East Flanders, Belgium. It stands on the market square and honours a nobleman whose family seat was here, which is why Zottegem proudly calls itself "Egmontstad", the Egmont town.

Who was Lamoral of Egmont?

Lamoral, Count of Egmont, was a sixteenth-century nobleman and soldier in Habsburg service, a leading figure in the Low Countries before the Eighty Years' War. His career ended in 1568, when he was beheaded in Brussels. He remains a symbol of the era in Dutch and Flemish memory. In 2022 Zottegem marked the 500th anniversary of his birth.

History of the monument

The statue is the work of the sculptor Jan-Robert Calloigne. The town bought his plaster model in 1862. The first version was cast in iron at the Usines de Tusey foundry in France by Edmond Zégut, and it was unveiled on 14 April 1872.

In 1968, the 400th anniversary of the count's execution, the town judged the original too corroded. A new bronze cast was ordered from the Brussels firm Compagnie des Bronzes d'Art, and that is the statue you see on the market square today. The original iron statue was not discarded: it was moved to Egmont Park, in front of Egmont Castle.

What to see nearby

The statue makes a natural starting point for a walk through the town. The tourist information office is close to the square, and Egmont Park with the castle and the original iron statue is a short stroll away. Zottegem has other traces of the Egmont family, so the monument fits well into a wider look at the town's heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the statue? On the market square in Zottegem, East Flanders, Belgium.

Who made it? The sculptor Jan-Robert Calloigne; the iron cast was made by Edmond Zégut.

Is it the original 1872 statue? No. The statue on the square is a bronze replacement from 1968. The original iron statue stands in Egmont Park.

Is there an entrance fee? No. It stands in a public space and can be viewed at any time.

How long does a visit take? A few minutes for the statue itself, but it is worth adding time for the park and castle.