The Gëlle Fra, or “Golden Lady”, is Luxembourg’s national war memorial and one of the country’s most important monuments. Located on the Constitution Square in Luxembourg City, it commemorates the Luxembourgers who volunteered to fight in the Allied armies during the First- and Second World War, as well as the Korean War and the Spanish Civil War.
The monument consists of a tall granite obelisk topped by a gilded bronze statue of the greek goddess Nike holding a laurel wreath above her head, symbolizing victory, freedom, and remembrance. At the base of the monument are two bronze soldiers, one fallen and one mourning his comrade. An epitaph in front of the sculptures honour the volunteers that gave their lives during both World Wars. The other sides of the base have texts honouring the people of Luxembourg who gave their lives for freedom.
First World War
Although Luxembourg was declared neutral long before the outbreak of the war, it did not stop Germany from invading it in 1914. While the Germans limited the country’s occupation to the military and left its political institutions alone, the Luxembourg Government chose to continue its policy of neutrality to all parties in the conflict. This stance would put Luxembourg in a difficult position after the war, with rising internal dissensions among its nationals and the threat of losing its independence under the criticism of having collaborated with the Germans.
But many Luxembourgers did not choose to follow its governments policy. From the start of the war around 3,700 Luxembourgers decided to side with the Allies. More than 3,000 of them joined the French Foreign Legion, while others abroad chose to join the forces of their country of residence. An estimated 2,000 would die during the conflict between 1914 and 1918.
In 1923 the Gëlle Fra monument was inaugurated to commemorate and honour these fallen nationals.
World War Two
On May 10 1940, history seemed to repeat itself, when the German Army again ignored Luxembourg’s neutrality and invaded the country. Although Luxembourg’s Army tried to put up some resistance, this was quickly overrun by the Nazi war machine. Having learned from the past, the Grand Duchess and the Luxembourg Government fled the country and finally settled as government-in-exile in London.
This time the German occupation would not limit itself to the military alone and Luxembourg was placed under direct German Administration and a program was started for its annexation into the Reich. The Gëlle Fra, a symbol of national resistance, was taken down by the Nazis in late October 1940.
Restoration
After the end of World War Two it would take until 1984 for the monument to be restored to its original glory, using several recovered parts of the original monument, most notable of which the Golden Lady herself. She was found to be hidden under the main stand of the national football stadium in January 1980.
The monument was unveiled to the public on 23 June 1985 as a national symbol of freedom, independence, and remembrance of Luxembourg.
