Limburgs Oorlogsmonument (Limburg War Memorial), Maastricht

The Limburg War Memorial, also known as the Limburg Liberation Monument, stands on Koningsplein in Maastricht. This monument commemorates both the liberation of Maastricht and the broader liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation during World War II. Created by renowned sculptor Charles Eyck, the memorial was officially unveiled in 1952 and remains a focal point for annual remembrance ceremonies on National Remembrance Day and on September 13th.

The monument features a striking bronze sculpture group depicting eight human figures, symbolizing various aspects of the war experience and its aftermath. At the forefront, a man has broken his chains, representing the triumph over oppression. Beside him, an American soldier raises his fingers in a "V" sign for victory. Two joyful children dance on either side, while their mothers stand behind them, one holding her child protectively. A grieving woman, slightly turned away, symbolizes sorrow and loss. The composition is completed by a laborer holding a hammer, embodying resilience and the determination to rebuild.

The sculpture group, approximately 2.5 meters high, is mounted on a 1.5-meter-tall concrete pedestal. The pedestal itself is adorned with decorative reliefs, including a leaf, flower tendrils, a star, a rooster, a French lily, a bison, an eagle, and a climbing lion-symbols reflecting themes of resistance, renewal, and national identity. In front of the memorial plaque lies a bronze bowl, designed to hold the Liberation Fire, which is ceremonially lit during commemorations.

The Limburg War Memorial serves as a powerful reminder of the city’s liberation on September 13-14, 1944, when the 30th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, known as "Old Hickory," entered Maastricht and freed it from Nazi control. The monument stands not only as a tribute to the past but as an enduring symbol of freedom, resilience, and the sacrifices made during World War II.