Belgium Bicycle Tours

Ypres, Belgium: The Town That War Could Not Destroy

Ypres in beautiful Belgium is a small, quiet provincial town, but it has a history that makes it well-worth a visit.

Back in the 12th century, Ypres was one of the most important cities of the county of Flanders, largely due to its cloth manufacturers.

By the 13th & 14th centuries cloth from Ypres was exported to everywhere in the then known world bringing it to the height of its political and economic power.

Thanks to political and social unrest Ypres had a negative turn in the 14th century and then in the 16th century the town found itself under an 8 month siege by the Duke of Parma leaving Ypres plundered and many of its inhabitants dead.

During the 17th century Ypres was taken by the French and from 1559 to 1801 it became an important religious center.

After the 18th century Ypres lost all of its strategic and economic importance.

It wasn't until the First World War that the town of Ypres found itself back in the spotlight. Unfortunately for Ypres it was situated right in the middle of the frontline between the German and the Allied troops. It was during this time that Ypres was almost completely destroyed.

Today when you visit Ypres you will find a beautifully rebuilt medieval town. The political and economic heart of Ypres is the Cloth hall which overlooks the Market Square. Although the original Cloth hall was destroyed you can still see a lot of old statues and parts of the original building. In 1934, after WWI, reconstruction of the Cloth Hall began and the project was completed in 1958.

The highlight of my visit to Ypres was entering the Menenstraat and seeing the most important war monument in Ypres, the Menin Gate. The Menin Gate has the appearance of a large triumphal arch and is built in the neoclassicist style. Built on the site of the former city gate, work began on the Menin Gate in 1923.

The names of 54, 896 British and Commonwealth soldiers that were reported missing during the Great War are on the walls of the monument.

The most touching aspect of being in Ypres and visiting the Menin Gate is the fact that at 8pm every night the Ypres Fire Department plays "The last Post' in tribute to fallen soldiers.

Staying in Ypres puts you in a prime position to visit other places of interest and there are many guided tours such at the Battlefield Tours, Bicycle tours and Car Tours.

IMPORTANT REMINDER - Don't forget to enjoy the luxury of Belgian Chocolates and Beer at one of the many cafes........

Source

Authors own travels

www.ieper.be