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YPRES CITY OF PEACE A BIT OF HISTORY
Together with Bruges and Ghent Ypres was one of the most powerfull towns in the old Earldom of Flandres. The Belfry and the Cloth Hall show evidence of the magnitude and the prosperity in the years 1200 - 1300. At that time Ypres was a very important centre for the cloth industry. The Cloth Hall was used to stock the unfinished and finished goods. Today this building houses the Flanders Fields Museum. The poppies have become the symbol for the war front in the fields of Flanders.
The war of 1914-1918 left Ypres and its surrendings in ruine. The British proposal to keep the town in this condition ran up against the legendary obstinacy of the local population, who absolutely wanted to rebuilt their city. Ypres resurrected more beautiful and glorious than ever before.
Ypres is a town with style and character, a town for people, a town that gives its guests a warm reception. The magnificent facades, the historic buildings and the little parcs make this nice town enchanting. The many bistrots, terraces and restaurants offer the chance to pause and enjoy a typical Belgian beer or a regional delicacy and a cup of coffee.
Since 1928, every evening at exactly 20hours, the Last Post is sounded by buglers under the Menin Gate (Ypres Salient) in remembrance of the thousands war victims.
Every year on November 11th ( Remembrance Day) the end of the world war is commemorated through the Poppy Parade, a march from the St.George's Memorial Church to the Menin Gate.
Outside the ramparts the war is everlasting present in the many military cemetaries. Still every day old ammunition is found in those slightly shelving plains.
Together with Bruges and Ghent Ypres was one of the most powerfull towns in the old Earldom of Flandres. The Belfry and the Cloth Hall show evidence of the magnitude and the prosperity in the years 1200 - 1300. At that time Ypres was a very important centre for the cloth industry. The Cloth Hall was used to stock the unfinished and finished goods. Today this building houses the Flanders Fields Museum. The poppies have become the symbol for the war front in the fields of Flanders.
The war of 1914-1918 left Ypres and its surrendings in ruine. The British proposal to keep the town in this condition ran up against the legendary obstinacy of the local population, who absolutely wanted to rebuilt their city. Ypres resurrected more beautiful and glorious than ever before.
Ypres is a town with style and character, a town for people, a town that gives its guests a warm reception. The magnificent facades, the historic buildings and the little parcs make this nice town enchanting. The many bistrots, terraces and restaurants offer the chance to pause and enjoy a typical Belgian beer or a regional delicacy and a cup of coffee.
Since 1928, every evening at exactly 20hours, the Last Post is sounded by buglers under the Menin Gate (Ypres Salient) in remembrance of the thousands war victims.
Every year on November 11th ( Remembrance Day) the end of the world war is commemorated through the Poppy Parade, a march from the St.George's Memorial Church to the Menin Gate.
Outside the ramparts the war is everlasting present in the many military cemetaries. Still every day old ammunition is found in those slightly shelving plains.