This Belgian city honors World War I history with memorials and cemeteries. Its center blends medieval and Flemish architecture, with lively restaurants and nightlife.
Ypres, a small city in western Belgium, played a significant role in World War I. You can explore its reconstructed medieval center, including the Cloth Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral. Visit the Menin Gate for the nightly Last Post ceremony, honoring fallen soldiers. Enjoy Flemish cuisine in local restaurants, and if you're lucky, you might catch the triennial Cat Parade.
Gothic Architecture in the City Center
While Ypres was largely destroyed in WWI, many historic buildings have been reconstructed. In the Grote Markt (main square), you'll see Gothic-style structures like the Cloth Hall with its 70-meter belfry tower. Climb the 231 steps of the belfry for views of the city and surrounding area. Nearby, St. Martin's Cathedral has one of the tallest church towers in Belgium. Take a walk along the Vauban Ramparts, 17th century fortifications that now form a green area around the old city.
Local Food and Drink
Try traditional Flemish cuisine at restaurants like De Ruyffelaer, set in a historic building with a wood-clad interior and fireplace. You can taste regional dishes such as Flemish beef stew cooked in beer. For dessert, visit one of the city's chocolatiers for Belgian chocolates. The Kazematten Brewery, located in 18th century fortifications once used for ammunition storage, offers tours and tastings on Saturday afternoons.
Annual Events
If you visit in May, you might experience Ypres' Cat Parade. Held every three years, this event includes a parade of cat-themed floats and costumes, along with the tossing of toy cats from the belfry tower. The tradition dates back to medieval times when cats were thrown from the tower to control the rodent population. Each November 11th, Ypres hosts Armistice Day commemorations, with ceremonies at war memorials throughout the area.
World War I History and Memorials
Ypres saw intense fighting during World War I, with much of the city destroyed. Today, you'll find numerous memorials and museums dedicated to the war. Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum in the rebuilt Cloth Hall, where multimedia exhibits tell personal stories of soldiers who fought in the Ypres Salient. You can follow the experiences of individuals throughout the war through interactive displays. Outside the city, you can see preserved trenches, bunkers and craters at sites like Hill 60 and the Sanctuary Wood Museum.
The Last Post Ceremony
Every evening at 8pm, traffic stops under the Menin Gate Memorial as buglers play the Last Post. This daily ceremony has taken place since 1928 to honor the over 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave who died in the Ypres Salient. The stone archway of the Menin Gate is inscribed with the names of the missing. You can watch the ceremony for free - arrive early to get a good viewing spot near the memorial.
