Ieper, the city of peace
Ypres is a Belgian town located in the Flemish region of Westhoeck in the province of West Flanders, close to the French border. The first mention of Ypres dates back to 1066. At that time, a small trading settlement was established east of the small river, which began to develop over time. It is a city with a very rich and diverse past: from the Middle Ages, when it experienced times of glory, becoming the most important center of the textile trade in Flanders, alongside Bruges and Ghent, through years of invasions and occupation by the French, English and Spanish, to the 20th century, when it was almost razed to the ground during World War I. After the war, the historic old town was carefully rebuilt. Today, numerous historic buildings remind us of its former glory. The most important of them include the monumental Gothic Cloth Hall (Lakenhal), the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin (Sint-Maartenskerk), 12th-century church of St. Nicholas (Sint-Niklaaskerk) and the city gate called Menenpoort, built in 1927.
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Cloth Hall - in Flemish Lakenhalle. The name comes from the Flemish word laken, meaning high-quality wool used to make fabrics. In the Middle Ages they were the trading center of Ypres. They were a place for the sale and storage of fabrics delivered here via the river canal called Ieperlee (or Ypres Canal).
In that time During this period, the city was one of the leaders in textile production among the cities of Flanders. The Cloth Hall consisted of a series of buildings surrounding a rectangular courtyard. Construction work began as early as 1200. They lasted for over 100 years. The construction was finally completed in 1304. Until the mid-1840s, a small river called the Ieperlee flowed through the town. |
Cloth Hall, photo. PM
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It reached as far as the western end of the Cloth Hall. Here, shallow-draft boats could unload their goods. The final official inspection of the goods took place in the cloth halls, and then they were delivered to the merchants.
The lower level of the cloth hall consisted of rooms with brick vaults. To facilitate access for merchants and customers to the halls and shops, the cloth hall had 48 doors on the southern façade, facing the market square. The cloth halls mainly sold fabrics and wool, but there were also days when merchants sold vegetables and goods here. On the first floor the halls were also connected to each other. Some of them were more decorated than others. The roof at this level consisted of massive wooden beams. The halls were used by merchants as warehouses and also as banquet halls. The City Council used them as conference rooms.
The lower level of the cloth hall consisted of rooms with brick vaults. To facilitate access for merchants and customers to the halls and shops, the cloth hall had 48 doors on the southern façade, facing the market square. The cloth halls mainly sold fabrics and wool, but there were also days when merchants sold vegetables and goods here. On the first floor the halls were also connected to each other. Some of them were more decorated than others. The roof at this level consisted of massive wooden beams. The halls were used by merchants as warehouses and also as banquet halls. The City Council used them as conference rooms.
Neuwerck photo PM
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In one of the main rooms, the walls were decorated with 12 frescoes painted by Ferdinand Pauwels. They depicted scenes from the city's history from 1187 to 1388. The remaining walls were decorated with paintings of merchants by the artist Louis Delbeke. The Councillors' Hall was located in the northern part of the Cloth Hall, on the ground floor. Here the decor was particularly impressive.
Neuwerck is a building added to the cloth hall in the years 1619-1622. It was built in the Renaissance style. It has two upper floors, the first of which connects to the upper floor of the Gothic cloth hall. In 1862, renovation took place. |
This part of the cloth hall had a chapel, frescoes, stained glass windows and a fireplace. The frescoes depict figures of the Counts of Flanders. The first and second floors are supported by pillars. They constitute a covered passage with vaults throughout the eastern part of the Cloth Hall. This passage leads to St. Martin's Cathedral.
The oldest part of the cloth hall is the bell tower. The foundation stone for its construction was laid in 1201. This was done by Baudoin IX, Count of Flanders. The purpose of the bell tower was to inform about an approaching threat. It had three levels. The ground floor was used as a prison. From the 14th century, the bell tower also served as the town hall. It also housed a treasury and an armory.
The oldest part of the cloth hall is the bell tower. The foundation stone for its construction was laid in 1201. This was done by Baudoin IX, Count of Flanders. The purpose of the bell tower was to inform about an approaching threat. It had three levels. The ground floor was used as a prison. From the 14th century, the bell tower also served as the town hall. It also housed a treasury and an armory.
Meetings of representatives of city guilds were also held here. The city archives were also located in the tower. In the Middle Ages, a cruel custom was introduced here of throwing black cats out of the tower, which were supposed to be a symbol of black magic. Nowadays, a cat festival is held in the city every three years. One of his points is throwing stuffed toys out of the tower.
On the tower there is There is also a carillon consisting of 49 bells. It plays a melody every hour.
On the tower there is There is also a carillon consisting of 49 bells. It plays a melody every hour.
Cloth Hall, photo. PM
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Cloth Hall, photo. PM
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Donkerpoort is a corridor located on the ground floor of the bell tower, in the middle of the southern facade. The corridor leads from the south side of the market square, through the center of the Cloth Hall to the north side of the Cloth Hall. You can walk through here to St. Martin's Cathedral. In the center of the corridor there are two gates, one on the right and one on the left, each leading to the cloth hall courtyard. In the corridor we can also see a projectile fired from a cannon called Gruba Berta, which the Germans used during World War I. they bombed Ypres.
The shelling of Ypres began in November 1914. On November 22, incendiary shells fired by the Germans completely destroyed destroyed the roof of the cloth hall. On April 19, 1915, German troops began the work of destruction from the Houthulst area. Using a new cannon, called the Gruba Berta, they resumed shelling the city. Projectiles with a diameter of 42 centimeters They razed the entire city to the ground, including the cloth hall. Only part of the bell tower survived. All documents and works of art located in the Cloth Hall were destroyed irretrievably.
After the war, in 1928, the reconstruction of the cloth hall began. It lasted until 1967. Both the cloth hall and the bell tower were rebuilt in accordance with their historical appearance. Thanks to this, In 1999, the bell tower was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The shelling of Ypres began in November 1914. On November 22, incendiary shells fired by the Germans completely destroyed destroyed the roof of the cloth hall. On April 19, 1915, German troops began the work of destruction from the Houthulst area. Using a new cannon, called the Gruba Berta, they resumed shelling the city. Projectiles with a diameter of 42 centimeters They razed the entire city to the ground, including the cloth hall. Only part of the bell tower survived. All documents and works of art located in the Cloth Hall were destroyed irretrievably.
After the war, in 1928, the reconstruction of the cloth hall began. It lasted until 1967. Both the cloth hall and the bell tower were rebuilt in accordance with their historical appearance. Thanks to this, In 1999, the bell tower was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Cathedral of St. Marcin, photo PM
Cathedral of St. Marcin, photo PM
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Church Saint Marcin it's a copy of the Gothic Episcopal Church built on the site of a Romanesque church that existed here in the 10th or 11th century. Construction began in 1230. The work lasted until 1370.
The cathedral is open to visitors outside of services (Masses 12:30-14:00). Inside, the spacious nave lacks much decoration. The exception is the rose window over the entrance to the south transept (it is a tribute dedicated to Albert I, considered a national hero), and a side altar with a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Thuyne. The cathedral contains the tombs of Cornelius Jansen, Bishop of Ypres from 1635 to 1638, founder of the theological movement Jansenism, and Count Robert of Bethune, known as the Lion. from Flanders. The cathedral tower rises to a height 100 meters. It is not open to tourists. Lapidarium contains the ruins of the deanery of St. Marcin. Large pieces of the walls of the razed Cathedral were placed here. They are intended to be tangible evidence of the horrors and destruction that befell Ypres during World War I. The monastery building can be visited on the north side of the Cathedral. |
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Court Building- Main Square 1. Before World War I, this building housed the Bishop's Palace. Later, a hospital dedicated to Our Lady was established here.
After the end of hostilities, reconstruction of the building began in an eclectic style, according to the design of the architect responsible for the reconstruction of Ypres, Jules Coomans. Nowadays, this building houses a court. From the Torhoutstraat side you can see the old entrance gate with the inscription Hopital Notre Dame. The entire wall survived the war and is one of the few examples of original pre-war architecture in Ypres. |
Court building in Ypres, photo. PM
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The building of the commercial court in Ypres, photo. PM
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Commercial court building (fl. Kastelrij) located at the Main Square 10. This building was built in the Renaissance style in the 15th century. During this period The feudal County of Flanders was divided into districts (Castellania). They were managed by viscounts or castellans. The Castellan's house was called Chatellenie (French name) or Kasselrij (Flemish name).
After the French Revolution in 1790, the institution of castellan was abolished. In 1800, the building was purchased by the city and was named Hotel de Chatellenie. After World War I, the building was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. according to the design of J. Coomans. Three floors of seven dormers in a row were added to the roof of the building. |
It was a certain interference with the historical appearance of the building. Also, the seven medallions above the windows on the first floor, depicting the seven deadly sins, were added. during the post-war reconstruction of the building. They were designed by a sculptor from Ghent Alois De Beule.
Until 1967 the building served as The Town Hall, which was moved to the rebuilt Cloth Hall. Currently, the Commercial Court is located here.
Until 1967 the building served as The Town Hall, which was moved to the rebuilt Cloth Hall. Currently, the Commercial Court is located here.
Monastery gate, municipal theatre in Ypres, photo. PM
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Monastery Gate - Municipal Theatre - original gate (fl. Kloosterpoort) dates from around 1500. It is the entrance to the deanery of St. Martin, which was abolished in 1560 after the proclamation of the diocese of Ypres. It was rebuilt in the Classicist style in 1780 and renovated in 1938.
Municipal Theatre (fl. Stadsschouwburg) was initially used as the parish priest's house. In 1803 it changed owners and a theatre was established here. During World War I, like most buildings in Ypres, it was completely destroyed. Rebuilt in the 1930s. |
Memorial sites for victims of World War I and II in Ypres
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Monument to the victims of World War I World dedicated to 155 civilian victims and hundreds of thousands of soldiers who lost their lives as a result of military operations during World War I. The monument was designed by the architect Jules Homere Martin Coomans (1871-1937) in 1924.
He was also responsible for the reconstruction Ypres, in traditional, historic style, after the activities war. In the years 1924-1926 the monument was created by the sculptor from Ghent Alois De Beule (1861-1935). Initially, Coomans planned to place monument in the eastern wing of the Cloth Hall. |
Monument to the victims of World War I and II, photo: PM
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However, they had not yet been finally rebuilt, so the monument was placed on the wall of a building located opposite the western part of the Cloth Hall. The ceremonial unveiling took place on June 27, 1926.
In 2010, a new plaque was placed and the monument was dedicated to the victims of both World War I and World War II.
In 2010, a new plaque was placed and the monument was dedicated to the victims of both World War I and World War II.
Menin Gate Memorial
A memorial to tens of thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers (excluding New Zealand soldiers who have their own memorial). Inside, on the walls, are engraved the names of 54,389 officers and soldiers who died in Ypres before 16 August 1917, whose graves have never been found.
In the center, both on the north and and on the southern side of the gate there are wide stairs leading to the old defensive walls and loggia. The inscription above both entrances reads:
AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM
HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES
OF OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL
IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM
THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED
THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL
GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES
IN DEATH
HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES
OF OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL
IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM
THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED
THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL
GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES
IN DEATH
The monument was built in the eastern part of Ypres. In a place through which practically every soldier going to fight in the sector east of Ypres passed. Many of them did not return. During the war there was no gate here, only a moat and fragments of the former city fortifications.
Menin Gate Memorial, Iepre, photo PM
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Menin Gate Memorial, Iepre, photo PM
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The Menin Gate, in memory of the missing, was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. The sculptures are a work of art Sir William Reid Dick. The dimensions of the monument are impressive: 36.5 meters long and 20 meters wide. Both ends are terminated by an arched gateway measuring 9 metres wide and 14.5 metres high, supported on both sides by columns. At the top, on the eastern side, there is a lion monument, and below it the inscription:
TO THE ARMIES
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
WHO STOOD HERE
FROM 1914 TO 1918
AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD
WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE
OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
WHO STOOD HERE
FROM 1914 TO 1918
AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD
WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE
The same inscription is on the second gate on the western side. It is topped with a sculpture of a sarcophagus with a flag and a wreath.
By taking the path leading through the former defensive walls we can reach the smallest one, 1100 meters away. Ypres war cemetery located at the Lille gate.
Today, the Menin Gate Memorial is one of the most famous war memorials in the world. It is probably also the only monument where daily ceremonies take place. They always take place at 8 p.m. The ceremony was inaugurated on August 1, 1928.
It was an expression of gratitude to all the soldiers who fought at Ypres, especially those whose graves were never found. The tradition of the Last Lent was interrupted for four years during World War II. On the day of the liberation of Ypres, General Maczek's Division resumed the tradition of paying tribute to the fallen soldiers. The ceremony begins with a minute of silence. The ceremony is attended by both residents and and tourists. During the ceremony, car traffic through the gate will be closed.
Today, the Menin Gate Memorial is one of the most famous war memorials in the world. It is probably also the only monument where daily ceremonies take place. They always take place at 8 p.m. The ceremony was inaugurated on August 1, 1928.
It was an expression of gratitude to all the soldiers who fought at Ypres, especially those whose graves were never found. The tradition of the Last Lent was interrupted for four years during World War II. On the day of the liberation of Ypres, General Maczek's Division resumed the tradition of paying tribute to the fallen soldiers. The ceremony begins with a minute of silence. The ceremony is attended by both residents and and tourists. During the ceremony, car traffic through the gate will be closed.
Lille Gate in Ypres, photo. PM
Lille Gate (fl. Rijselpoort) is one of several entrances to the old fortified city of Ypres. It is the only gate in the city that survived the bombings of German troops during World War I. At the beginning of its existence, Ieper was a small settlement on the Ieper River. It had two entrances. One in the north, the other in the south. Lille is the original southern gate. This entrance to the city was called Mesenpoort, that is, the door to Mesén (Messines). Another name is the Lille Gate because the route leads to the French city of Lille. The Lille Gate is also known by its Flemish name Rijselpoort. The round towers are the oldest part of the stone defensive walls. They date back to 1385 and are an example Burgundian period of the city's history. The bridge over the gate was added during later modifications to the city fortifications. At the end of Rijselstraat the road leaves the city at Rijselspoort (Lille Gate). On both sides are defensive walls built on earlier medieval walls by the great military engineer working for King Louis XIV, Sébastien Le Prestre, Marquis de Vauban. He was responsible for the construction of fortifications in over 300 cities and towns in France and abroad.
War cemeteries in Ypres are the burial places of thousands of soldiers who died in the battles that took place here during World War I. There are over a hundred cemeteries here, where British soldiers and those from the countries of Central America are buried. Commonwealth , one German cemetery, two French and one Belgian. Cemeteries can be found everywhere here, between single-family housing estates and sometimes in the open fields, among the corn crops. Often difficult to find, despite numerous information boards. All cemeteries are exceptionally well-maintained and open to the public.
Ypres War Cemetery
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Ypres War Cemetery
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Ypres War Cemetery
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Ramparts Cemetery was launched by the French in November 1914. Initially, fallen French soldiers were buried there. Later their bodies were moved to another cemetery. From February 1915 to April 1918, British Commonwealth soldiers were buried here. It is one of the smallest military cemeteries in Ypres. 197 soldiers are buried here:
English 162
Canadians 10
Australians 11
New Zealanders 14
Canadians 10
Australians 11
New Zealanders 14
The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield. It is situated in a quiet spot, on top of the old defensive walls, next to the moat that runs around the old town.
Below is the address of a website that provides an extremely detailed and interesting description of the military operations conducted in the Ypres area during World War I.
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/places/ypres-salient-cemeteries.htm
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/places/ypres-salient-cemeteries.htm