The Battle of Waterloo
It was 18 June 1815, when Wellington faced Napoleon for the last battle. More than 300,000 soldiers fought on that day and within a few hours nearly ten-thousand men had died, with another thirty-thousand wounded. Each year, on June 18th historical demonstrations can be seen and every summer-weekend , military shows with cavalry, cannon fire and infantry are held in original costumes.
The battlefield is about 12 km south of Brussels and 2 km from Waterloo. The battlefield location today is shown by a huge bundle of earth called the Lion's Hillcock.
The battlefield is about 12 km south of Brussels and 2 km from Waterloo. The battlefield location today is shown by a huge bundle of earth called the Lion's Hillcock.
The Lion Mound or Lion's Hillcock
The construction was ordered in 1820 by King William I of The Netherlands, and completed in 1826. It was built to commemorate the location his son the Prince of Orange was knocked from his horse by a musket ball to the shoulder during battle.
The 120 ft high hill was constructed using earth taken from other parts of the battlefield.
At the top of the 226 steps leading to the Lion Mound, a cast iron Lion is installed.
The lion is the heraldic beast on the personal coat of arms of the monarch of The Netherlands, and symbolizes courage;. It has its paw set on a globe to "announce the period of rest that Europe earned on the Waterloo plains
There is a legend to the effect that the lion was cast from brass melted down from cannons abandoned by the French on the battlefield
The 120 ft high hill was constructed using earth taken from other parts of the battlefield.
At the top of the 226 steps leading to the Lion Mound, a cast iron Lion is installed.
The lion is the heraldic beast on the personal coat of arms of the monarch of The Netherlands, and symbolizes courage;. It has its paw set on a globe to "announce the period of rest that Europe earned on the Waterloo plains
There is a legend to the effect that the lion was cast from brass melted down from cannons abandoned by the French on the battlefield
The Panorama
This is a huge fresco, painted by Louis Dumoulin in 1912 for the 100th anniversary of the battle. This fresco is 110 meters round by 12 meters high.
The Panorama of Waterloo offers visitors an opportunity to escape into a key moment of the raging battle, the charge by Marshal Ney, Napoleon surrounded by his staff and Wellington surrounded by his infantry.
The size, and the way the soldiers are depicted in period costume and weapons, plus the panoramic display and background soundtrack causes you to become immersed inside the picture, making you feel like you are right there in the middle of the battle.
Not only is the Panorama an amazing piece of visual theatre, it is also a very important piece of historical heritage because it is one of very few that exist today.
The Panorama of Waterloo offers visitors an opportunity to escape into a key moment of the raging battle, the charge by Marshal Ney, Napoleon surrounded by his staff and Wellington surrounded by his infantry.
The size, and the way the soldiers are depicted in period costume and weapons, plus the panoramic display and background soundtrack causes you to become immersed inside the picture, making you feel like you are right there in the middle of the battle.
Not only is the Panorama an amazing piece of visual theatre, it is also a very important piece of historical heritage because it is one of very few that exist today.
Château d'Hougoumont
This was a farmhouse situated at the bottom of an escarpment near where British and other allied forces faced Napoleon's Army at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815.
Napolion attacked Hougoumont as a diversionary tactic to cause Wellington to move reserves to his threatened right flank in order to protect his communications.
The attack escalated into an all-day battle which drew in more and more French troops but just a handful of Wellington's, having the exact opposite effect to that intended.
It seems that both Napoleon and Wellington thought Hougoumont was a vital part of the battle.
Wellington declared afterwards that "the success of the battle turned upon the closing of the gates at Hougoumont". The Chateau is still there but it has been left is disrepair.
Napolion attacked Hougoumont as a diversionary tactic to cause Wellington to move reserves to his threatened right flank in order to protect his communications.
The attack escalated into an all-day battle which drew in more and more French troops but just a handful of Wellington's, having the exact opposite effect to that intended.
It seems that both Napoleon and Wellington thought Hougoumont was a vital part of the battle.
Wellington declared afterwards that "the success of the battle turned upon the closing of the gates at Hougoumont". The Chateau is still there but it has been left is disrepair.
Is there anything to do in Belgium?
- B-excursions - a discount travel offer from Belgium's railway system, buy a ticket and get entrance to attractions like the zoo, museums, and theme parks.
- Auto World - In Brussels see over 400 cars, retracing the evolution of the automobile
- Mini Europe - This theme park in Brussels we allow you to travel all of europe, as represented by over 300 scale models.
- Flanders Field - Every Canadian knows the poem written by John McCrae in 1915, discover the inspiration for it.
Bibliography
1993 - 2013 The New Society for the Diffusion of Knowledge. Intenet Map Archive. Ed. Matt and Leela Probert. 12 03 2013 <http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/photolib/maps/Map%20of%20Battle%20of%20Waterloo%201815%20Crisis%20of%20the%20Battle%201898.htm>.
Culturespaces Foundation. Waterloo Battlefield. 24 03 2013 <http://www.waterloo1815.be/en/events>.
Culturespaces Foundation. Waterloo Battlefield. 24 03 2013 <http://www.waterloo1815.be/en/events>.