Walthère Frère-Orban Monument

In front of you stands the imposing monument to Walthère Frère-Orban, one of Liège’s most prominent nineteenth-century statesmen. Inaugurated in 1931, more than thirty years after his death, it shows just how strongly the people of Liège still honor the memory of this great reformer. At the center, the statue depicts him standing with arms crossed, gaze proud and resolute—a posture that captures the strength and authority of a man who left a lasting mark on Belgian politics. On either side, two female allegories complete the scene: to the left, a seated, pensive figure symbolizes Belgium before his reforms, weighed down by hardship; to the right, a confident, upright figure embodies the prosperity and new energy he brought to the nation. A convinced liberal and staunch defender of secularism, Frère-Orban served as Minister of Finance, created both the National Bank and the Crédit Communal, and twice became Prime Minister. He abolished the octrois—those old taxes on goods entering the city—and founded the Savings Bank. On the back of the monument, a bas-relief illustrates these social and economic advances. Designed by sculptor Paul Du Bois and architect Joseph Van Neck, this bronze and stone memorial reflects the grand commemorative style of the interwar years. Here on Boulevard d’Avroy, it stands alongside other figures like Charlemagne and Charles Rogier, reminding us that Liège has long been a land of power, ideas, and influence.