Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Belgium Baarle-Hertog 'De Pungelaer'
AO Edited

'De Pungelaer'

A tribute to smugglers and the Butter Wars.

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

Added By
CoolCrab
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
De Pungelaer   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
De Pungelaer   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
De Pungelaer   CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Besides people and events, monuments can also be dedicated to a profession, usually, these are inspiring professions. In Baarle there is one such monument, except it is dedicated to the life of smugglers. 

This is not too strange for the twin city of Baarle Nassau and Baarle Hertog, as a strange border situation has been present since the 11th-century. This made the region a smugglers' paradise. 

Today, the borders are mainly touristic and not enforced since both countries are part of the European Union, but before that, the borders were policed and abused by those trying to get items or people from one jurisdiction to another. 

Perhaps most notable is the "Butter War," a period in which many smugglers took butter from the Netherlands to Belgium because of the price differences. In the Netherlands, people preferred margarine, and butter prices were low. In Belgium everyone used butter, and thus prices were high due to the demand, with prices being two or three times just across the border. This led to many people smuggling butter both on foot and in cars, sometimes resulting in wild car chases across the area. 

The statue commemorates this past, as well as the 1,000 year anniversary of the current situation. It was created in 1992 by Constant Grooten, but was officially installed and unveiled four years later by Sjaak Mulders en Mon van Casteren, two border security guards who drove around in armored cars and spread caltrops during the height of the Butter War.

Related Tags

Borders Statues History & Culture

Know Before You Go

The statue is freely accessible, but do not try to smuggle things.

Community Contributors

Added By

CoolCrab

Published

March 3, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.fiod.nl/douane-en-douanerecherche-raken-in-de-jaren-50-en-60-verwikkeld-in-een-hevige-strijd-met-botersmokkelaars/
  • https://www.bhic.nl/ontdekken/verhalen/smokkelaar
'De Pungelaer'
31 Hertog Hendrik I Plein
Baarle-Hertog, 2387
Belgium
51.440188, 4.930727
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Borders of Baarle-Nassau and Baarle-Hertog

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

miles away

The Migrating House

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

miles away

Zendstation MN7

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Baarle-Hertog

Baarle-Hertog

Belgium

Places 5

Nearby Places

Borders of Baarle-Nassau and Baarle-Hertog

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

miles away

The Migrating House

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

miles away

Zendstation MN7

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Baarle-Hertog

Baarle-Hertog

Belgium

Places 5

Related Places

  • Chocolate Orange

    York, England

    Terry's Chocolate Orange Sculpture

    A unique tribute to the chocolatey past that helped shape one British city.

  • The Iron Knight

    Prague, Czechia

    Iron Knight

    The statue of a cursed knight is said to come to life every 100 years.

  • A close-up view of the Ancient Melancholy Man.

    London, England

    Ancient Melancholy Man

    This statue in Holland Park might be one of London’s oldest outdoor statues, but its exact origins are unknown.

  • Yokohama, Japan

    ‘Shake Hands With Lima-chan’

    Commemorating the Japanese migration to Peru, this statue has a sister standing across the Pacific.

  • The Juneteenth Monument at Ashton Villa.

    Galveston, Texas

    Juneteenth Monument at Ashton Villa

    The statue, located at a mansion-turned-emancipation museum, honors Galveston’s history as the birthplace of Juneteenth.

  • Bust of Skanderbeg

    London, England

    Skanderbeg Memorial

    The bust of a 15th-century Albanian leader in the middle of London.

  • Bicha of Balazote

    Madrid, Spain

    Bicha of Balazote

    This enigmatic Iberian sculpture of uncertain origin may have once guarded a burial site.

  • Boston Marathon Starting Line & Sculpture

    Hopkinton, Massachusetts

    Boston Marathon Starting Line

    This pavement line and accompanying statue commemorates the starting point for the world's oldest annual marathon.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.