National Seaman's memorial, Ostend

on

Ostend, the City by the Sea raised a national memorial to fishermen and sailors 1951-54, created by Willy Kreitz from granite.



The monument's plaque says,

"National Monument for the Sailors 
Granite, 1951-1954.

The sailor at the top looks proudly, defiantly and confidently towards the future. The grieving sailor at the bottom mourns the loss of his comrades.

In 1951, Antwerp resident Willy Kreitz was commissioned to create this memorial. It honors the fishermen, sailors, cabin boys and soldiers who lost their lives at sea.

On Easter Monday, the fishing community organizes an annual tribute to the victims of the sea at this monument. The sea consecration also traditionally takes place here. The first Ostend lighthouse (1771) stood on this spot."






Thanks to Matt Reed for photos and transcription.

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