Lange Wapper statue
Public Art : Lange Wapper statue
Scultpor: © Albert Poels (7th April, 1903 - 23rd
August, 1984)
Description: A bronze statue of a giant known as
Lange Wapper who terrified drunks and children. Lange Wapper stands menacing (with hands on hips) over two drunken
sailors who are leaning back to see him.
Date Unveiled: 1963
Location: The Lange Wapper statue is located outside
the Antwerp Steen, a little castle on the river Scheldt.
Who is Lange Wapper : The Belgium legend
of Lange Wapper dates back to the 16th century. Lange Wapper would often appear as a little man who came out at
night to chase drunks. But he would often make himself grow bigger and bigger to intimidate them. Legend also has
it that he would disguise himself as a child to drink breast milk from unsuspecting women.
Lange Wapper Trivia:
According to the Wikipedia website the giant used tricks to steal breast milk off women, liked to
tease drunks, cheated when playing with children and laughed like the devil.
Rumor has it that many buildings in Antwerp placed statues of the Virgin Mary on their facades to
scare away Lange Wapper who was scared of her.
|