Congress Column
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The Congress Column is a monumental column in Brussels, Belgium, commemorating the creation of the Belgian Constitution by the National Congress of 1830–31. Inspired by Trajan's Column in Rome, it was erected between 1850 and 1859, on the initiative of the then-Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Rogier, according to a design by the architect Joseph Poelaert. At the top of the column is a statue of Belgium's first monarch; King Leopold I, and at its base, the pedestal is surrounded by statues personifying the four freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. The Belgian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame lies at its foot.
Back view of the Congress Column
The Congress Column in the late 19th century
The Congress Column and the Finance Tower seen from the Rue Royale/Koningsstraat
Pedestal of the column, with two bronze lions by Eugène Simonis
Constitution of Belgium
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The Constitution of Belgium dates back to 1831. Since then Belgium has been a parliamentary monarchy that applies the principles of ministerial responsibility for the government policy and the Trias Politica.
Constitution of Belgium (1931)
The four sitting statues on the pedestal of the Congress Column represent the four basic freedoms enshrined in the Belgian Constitution of 1831: the freedom of religion, association, education and the press.
The Palace of the Nation in Brussels houses the Belgian Federal Parliament
Article 85 of the Belgian Constitution vests the King's constitutional powers in the offspring of Leopold I.