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Monument · Tongeren, Limburg
Standbeeld van Ambiorix
The bronze statue of the Eburones' leader who confronted Julius Caesar, standing in the centre of Tongeren’s Grote Markt since 1866. On Sundays the nearby streets are often taken over by the antiques market.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Standbeeld van Ambiorix
The statue of Ambiorix has dominated Tongeren’s Grote Markt since 1866. Ambiorix was the leader of the Eburones, a people who lived in the region, and became known for confronting Julius Caesar’s legions in the 1st century BC. The episode is mentioned in Caesar’s own accounts of the Gallic War.
In the 19th century, a few decades after Belgium’s independence, the country sought its own heroes, and Ambiorix became a symbol of resistance. The bronze statue became the best-known image of Tongeren and appears on souvenirs and postcards of the city.
Around the square are the town hall, the Basilica of Nossa Senhora and several cafés. The Gallo-Romeins Museum, a few steps away, explains who the Eburones were and shows coins they minted.
On Sunday mornings the city usually hosts a large antiques market, with more than 350 exhibitors spread along the Leopoldwal, the Veemarkt and neighbouring streets, plus about 40 antique dealers. If you visit on Sunday you can start at the market and finish at the square.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 15–20 minutes to the square; about 1–2 hours for the Sunday market.
Best time
On Sunday morning, to combine the square with the antiques market, which usually starts very early and finishes around midday. On other days the square is calm and good for photos.
How to get there
It's on the Grote Markt, about a 10-minute walk from the station. The Leopoldwal and the Veemarkt, where the Sunday market usually takes place, are only a few minutes from the square.
Tip
For the antiques market, arrive early and bring cash, as not every stall accepts cards. Bargaining is part of the custom.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Standbeeld van Ambiorix
Who was Ambiorix?
The leader of the Eburones, a people who lived in the Tongeren region and who fought the troops of Julius Caesar in the 1st century BC. In the 19th century he became a symbol of resistance in Belgium.
On which day does the antiques market take place?
It usually takes place on Sunday mornings, with more than 350 exhibitors on the Leopoldwal, the Veemarkt and nearby streets. Check before you go.
What is around the square?
The town hall, the basilica of Nossa Senhora and several cafés. The Gallo-Romeins Museum is a few steps away.