Sites of the Ypres Salient
| Ypres, in the region of Flanders, has been an important historical site throughout the ages. Following the First Battle of Ypres in the late autumn of 1914, Ypres became the centre of a bitter struggle. Decimated by the war, its citizens worked together to rebuild both the city and their lives. When visiting Ypres it is hard to appreciate the devastation of the area at that time however the period photographs shown in many of the museums help to bring the text to life.
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| The Cloth Hall is one of Ypres' grandest buildings. When the Ypres canal was still navigable, ships could sail through its gate and load and unload cargo. Its 48 doors gave access from the street to the selling halls. Originally built in 1304, it was completely destroyed in World War I as from every vantage point the Germans could see the spires of the Cloth Hall. Hence, it was regularly used for target practice. The Hall and Belfry were rebuilt in their original form between 1928 and 1967. |
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St Martin's Cathedral was completely destroyed during World War I and subsequently rebuilt as a bishop's church constructed in the gothic style. It is now open to visitors except during Services
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St George's Memorial Church was built between 1928-29. Everything in it, including the furniture, has been donated over the years in order to commemorate units or individuals who fought in Ypres during World War I.
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‘In Flanders Fields’ Museum - an interactive museum providing a series of exhibitions that take visitors through experiences of both soldiers and civilians during World War I. On admission, the group is provided with individual 'personality' cards that can be used whilst exploring the museum's exhibits. The cards represent individuals who lived through the war and are a great way of putting students in the place of those who existed through this terrible period of history. There are many notable sections of the museum: a night attack across 'No Man's Land' giving an insight into what soldiers experienced as they went over the top, a gas attack and dressing station, to name but a few.
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The Menin Gate is a ‘Hall of Memory’, a memorial to the British and Commonwealth servicemen who lost their lives at Ypres and have no known grave. Over 54,000 names are carved into Portland stone panels. The memorial, located on the eastern side of the town was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and unveiled in 1927 by Field Marshall Plumer. It is only five minutes walk from the main square in Ypres and an essential part of any Battlefield tour of Belgium. Each evening at 8pm, since 1928, a dedicated team of local buglers has sounded the Last Post. The ceremony is extremely moving and is the perfect opportunity for any visiting group to pay their respects and lay a wreath to those who gave their lives.
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Hill 60 is at the northern end of the Messines Ridge. Although just 60 metres above sea level, it was a crucial, strategic vantage point from where the Germans could look down onto Ypres. It was captured and recaptured many times by the opposing sides. As you ascend the hill you will be aware of certain remnants of the war such as the pillbox, mines and machine gun posts providing the group with the opportunity to explore.
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Tyne Cot is the largest British military cemetery in the world with 11,871 graves. It lies at the top of the Passchendaele ridge. Students find this a very emotive place and it generates a strong feeling of respect and pride. The cemetery is perfectly maintained and very peaceful.
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Langemarck German Cemetery is the only German cemetery in the Ypres Salient and is a stark contrast to Tyne Cot. It is an eerie place, predominantly black in colour with a sombre atmosphere. There are about 25,000 remains buried in mass graves with names recorded on metal slabs. Some of the soldiers buried here were student soldiers killed in the First Battle of Ypres in October and November 1914.
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Essex Farm is a peaceful cemetery on the site of the dressing station where John MacCrae, author of the poem ‘In Flanders Field’, operated as a surgeon. The youngest soldier to die in the Ypres Salient, 15 year old Joe Strudwick from Dorking in Surrey, is buried here.
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Hill 62 and Sanctuary Wood Museum Hill 62 is so called because it is 62 metres above sea level. A small part of the original wood here has been preserved as it was at the end of the war. Of all the sites Hill 62 gives the best impression of conditions in the trenches. There is a network of trenches and underground tunnels that can be explored if you are in possession of the appropriate footwear and a torch, but be prepared, as it can be very muddy. Preserved by the Schier family since 1918, the site also houses a small museum containing an excellent collection of wartime photographs and relics.
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The Memorial Museum - Passchendaele 1917 is set up in the historical castle of Zonnebeke just outside of Ypres. The museum has a large collection of historical artefacts, images and movies, life size diorama’s as well as underground dugout tunnels. This interesting museum shows how the British had to live underground in the tunnels with communication and dressing post, headquarters, work places and dormitories.
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Bellewaerde Park is a theme park close to Ypres with a great mix of attractions; Screaming Eagle, Boomerang, Pirate boat, as well as animals and nature. Between April and November groups can visit the park for a relaxing day at the end of their history tour or use the day for an educational programme outside of the classroom.
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Teacher’s guides for WWI
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Holts Tours has produced a comprehensive full-colour guide to aid teachers in effective preparation for their tours to Ypres and the Somme. These packs are exclusive to Holts Tours and are available to you, the teacher, when you book your tour with us. They have been designed in conjunction with a Chief Examiner in GCSE History and we feel that they are one of several features that make our Battlefield Tours the most comprehensive available.
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If you have any questions or would like to get a quote, click here to go to the contact page where you can download a fax-back form or click here for the on-line enquiry form. |
