On the 16th of January 1969 the 20-year-old history student set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square. By this shocking act, he wanted to arouse the Czech public from lethargy following the August invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Jan Palach memorial stands in the Brussels district of Woluwe-St-Pierre since 1999. The Czech Republic offered it to the municipality on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the self-immolation of Czech student Jan Palach.

The project was initiated by the Czech Embassy in Brussels with a great support of the mayor of Woluwe-St- Pierre Mr. Jacques Vandenhaute. Author of the monument is Czech sculptor František Janda.

Sculpture is located near the stop Chant d'Oiseau between the streets Parvis des Franciscains and avenue de l'Atlantique.