Monument to the Sailors of Ostend

The Sailor's Monument (1953 by Willy Kreitz) is located on the Zeeheldenplein . Every year, tribute is paid to the many Ostend fishermen who have stayed at sea over the centuries .

Ostend's first lighthouse stood here (1771).

During World War II, the Zeeheldenplein and the Ostend lighthouse were destroyed. After the war, the reconstruction of the square began. A monument to the sailors was erected on the site of the destroyed lighthouse. A competition was held to find the “right” sculptor. The four maritime categories of fishing, merchant shipping, navy and inland navigation were to be symbolized on the monument.

The memorial features a sailor at the helm, proudly, defiantly, resolutely and confidently looking out to sea (the future). The sailor stands with his arms crossed in front of his chest and leans forward as if stretching into the wind. Below, in the background of the picture, a mourning sailor mourns the loss of his comrades. The attitude of this sailor inspired the resident of Ostend to give a pseudonym and call the statue De Pisser. In addition, there are other pseudonyms for the monuments of Ostend. For example, the lighthouse was called Lange Nelle, the sea Dikke Mathille, the monument to Leopold I't Lost, etc.

Willem Vandenameele