WATERLOO, Belgium — The iconic Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion) stands as a prominent memorial on the historic Waterloo battlefield. The artificial hill, constructed between 1820 and 1826, marks the spot where William II of the Netherlands was wounded during the Battle of Waterloo. A steep staircase leads to the summit, which offers panoramic views of the former Allied army positions commanded by the Duke of Wellington.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Lion's Mound (Butte du Lion) at Waterloo, Belgium, stands as a remarkable monument commemorating the historic Battle of Waterloo fought on June 18, 1815. This artificial hill, rising 141 feet (43 meters), was constructed between 1820 and 1826 by order of King William I of the Netherlands. The location marks the spot where his son, the Prince of Orange (later King William II), was wounded during the battle. The mound was built using earth from the battlefield itself, dramatically altering the original landscape. A total of 226 steps lead visitors to the summit, where a massive cast iron lion, weighing 28 tons, stands atop a stone pedestal. This lion, symbolizing courage and victory, faces France as a symbol of the Allied triumph. The viewing platform at the top provides visitors with a strategic overview of the battlefield where the Allied forces under the Duke of Wellington's command faced Napoleon's French army in one of history's most decisive battles.
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Butte du Lion, Mont Saint-Jean, Walloon Region, Belgium
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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