The statue of Grégoire-Joseph Chapuis (a must in Verviers

The statue was made by Joseph-Antoine Van den Kerkhove, known as Nelson. 

Doctor, philosopher, magistrate, promoter of civil marriage, founder of schools for workers to whom he was very close. He spoke to and taught the workers at the Gris-Gevris, teaching them to read, convinced that education must be given to all and is the best way to achieve freedom. Grégoire-Joseph Chapuis was born in Verviers in 1761. He learned his trade from his father, a master teacher, before obtaining his diploma. He was the first surgeon to perform a caesarean section in the Verviers region. He was also the officer in charge of the civil registry. 

This man who loved justice and solidarity, an advocate of political and social reform, was arrested, condemned for his ideas, summarily judged and executed, for "an example". Brought back from Liège, sitting on his coffin, he was decapitated on the Place du Sablon in Verviers. This square was to become the "Martyr's Square" in 1875. On 10 October 1880, the monument erected in memory of Chapuis was officially inaugurated by the liberal mayor Ortmans-Hauzeur. The work was carried out quickly because the event was to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Belgian independence. 

The monument consists of a four-metre high base made of Écaussines bluestone, topped by a bronze statue of the same height. The figure stands upright with his head turned towards the future and his legs slightly apart, revealing the blade that killed him. 

On the walls of the base, observe the inscriptions that reveal the values defended by Chapuis. 

In the absence of any representation of Chapuis' face, his features are said to be borrowed from his nephew Armand Wéber (whose resemblance everyone admits).