Fiere Margriet (Proud Margaret Statue), Leuven

Proud Margaret is a prominent figure in the folklore of Leuven, closely associated with one of the city's Seven Wonders – 'The Water that Flows Upstream'. The earliest written account of her legend appears in the 'Dialogus Miraculorum' (1219-1223), a compilation of miracles by the German Cistercian monk Caesarius of Heisterbach. According to the tale, Margaretha, born in 1207 to a poor family, worked at an inn owned by a man named Amandus.

The legend unfolds tragically when, on the eve of Amandus and his wife's departure to lead a contemplative life, robbers disguised as travelers arrive at the inn. After exhausting the wine supply, Amandus sends Margaretha to fetch more. Upon her return, she discovers the gruesome murder of Amandus and his wife. In a harrowing turn of events, the robbers pursue Margaretha, eventually catching her near the River Dijle. Refusing to yield her virtue, Margaretha meets a tragic end at the hands of the assailants.

Miraculously, Margaretha's body is discovered by fishermen days later, still clutching the ear of her pitcher. Her grave becomes a site of pilgrimage, with tales of lights emanating from her burial place and miracles occurring nearby. Her remains are later interred in a wooden chapel in the cemetery of Sint-Pieterskerk in Leuven.

In 2013, artist Willy Meysmans immortalized Fiere Margriet in a bronze sculpture, depicting her as a floating naked woman. The statue was relocated from Tiensestraat to the green bank of the Dijle, known as the Dijleterrassen. During periods of high water levels, the sculpture appears to float on the river, captivating onlookers with its poignant portrayal of the legendary figure. While the statue's placement effectively brings the legend to life, it has led some to mistakenly believe it marks the exact spot where Margaretha's body was found, further enshrining her tale in the lore of Leuven.